Russia Strikes Kyiv's Northern Bridge as Attacks on Capital Escalate
Russia struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge on Saturday, the second major bridge hit in two days as part of escalating attacks on the Ukrainian capital's transport infrastructure that have damaged multiple crossings over the Dnipro River.
Latest Strike on Kyiv's Northern Bridge
Russia struck Kyiv’s Northern Bridge on Saturday, damaging its road surface and trolleybus power lines as attacks on the Ukrainian capital’s transport network continued for a third day. [4] Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were injured and traffic from the city’s eastern bank to the western side was halted after the strike. [4] Emergency crews went to the bridge, one of the main crossings over the Dnipro River. [4] A Russian strike damaged Kyiv's Northern Bridge early Saturday, suspending traffic and causing tailbacks for a third day, in Moscow's latest effort to disrupt life in the Ukrainian capital. [5] The strike came a day after Russian assaults forced the full or partial closure of other crossings. [5] The damage affected road surface and trolleybus power lines, with the incident occurring amid a broader wave of Russian attacks on the capital. [4]
Series of Attacks on Kyiv Bridges
Russian strike damages Kyiv's Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River. — Source: cnn
Russian forces have attacked the capital's bridges six times between 1 and 3 October: five strikes hit the Pivdennyi (South) Bridge, and one hit the Pivnichnyi (North) Bridge. [3] The damage and the threat of repeat attacks led to traffic restrictions or a complete halt on five of the city's six road bridges. [3] On 1 October, two drones struck near the supporting structure of the Pivdennyi Bridge. [3] Following the strikes, traffic on the metro and overground across the crossing was halted to inspect the structures. [3] During the day on 2 October, Kyiv City Military Administration reported damage to a support, the road surface and the concrete protection of the metro tracks following previous attacks. [3] On 2 October, another strike on the Pivdennyi Bridge was recorded in Kyiv. [3] On 3 October, a Russian jet-powered drone struck the Pivnichnyi Bridge in Kyiv, which connects the right and left banks of the Dnipro River. [3] The bridges are still standing, but further strikes could weaken their supporting structures. [3]
Potential Logistical Impact
Russian attacks could force the Ukrainian authorities to close Kyiv's bridges for an extended period, which would result in a "logistical nightmare" for the capital and the whole of Ukraine. [3] Food and equipment are transported across the Dnipro River via Kyiv's bridges. [3] If the crossings are closed, there will be few alternative routes, and transport will require long detours, the NYT notes. [3] According to the NYT, the nearest road bridge south of Kyiv is about 145 km away, a drive of roughly two and a half hours. [3] Other crossings further downstream are closer to the front, making them even more vulnerable to Russian attacks. [3] This also threatens the daily commutes of Kyiv residents. [3] About a million people live on the predominantly residential left bank, while most government institutions and businesses are concentrated on the right bank. [3] The Kyiv Metro is ready to resume running trains across the Pivdennyi Bridge during "yellow" alerts – warnings issued in response to drone threats – but only after receiving an expert assessment of the bridge's condition. [3]
Broader Russian Campaign
Ukrainian officials and military experts cited by the NYT believe the strikes on the bridges are part of a campaign to destroy Ukraine's economy and undermine its ability to sustain the war effort. [3] Russian forces are also attacking warehouses, railways, data centres, medical facilities and steel plants. [3] The authorities could then close the crossings indefinitely to reduce the risk of collapse, the NYT explains. [3]
Moldova Reports Sixth Airspace Violation
Moldova's Ministry of Defence reported a sixth unauthorised flight in the country's airspace on Saturday amid a massive morning Russian attack on Ukraine. [1] The ministry reported that the drone had been detected during an analysis of airspace data. [1] According to the Defence Ministry, the object entered Moldovan airspace at 08:04 from the village of Udobne in Ukraine's Odesa Oblast, heading towards the Moldovan village of Palanca. [1] At 08:05, the object left Moldovan territory and moved towards the Ukrainian town of Biliaivka. [1] The Moldovan National Army's radars have recorded a total of six unauthorised flights over the country. [1] On 3 October, Moldova's national airspace monitoring system recorded the flight of several unmanned aerial vehicles. [1] The National Army's Air Operations Service reported that five unmanned aerial vehicles had crossed the national airspace between 07:45 and 08:00. [1] Defence Minister Anatolie Nosatîi later clarified that the incident involved three missiles and two drones, the wreckage of which fell in four districts in the country. [1] Moldovan President Maia Sandu reacted by stating that the Russian war is "dangerously close to Moldova". [1]
What to watch next: Further strikes could weaken supporting structures of the bridges, potentially leading authorities to close crossings indefinitely, while additional unauthorised flights may continue to be recorded in Moldovan airspace during Russian attacks on Ukraine.
