Russia Hits Kyiv Bridge in Daylight Attack, Disrupting Transport
Drone strikes on the Pivdennyi bridge, a major artery in the Ukrainian capital, signal a potential escalation in Moscow's tactics.
Russian drones struck a major bridge in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, in broad daylight on Thursday, disrupting public transportation and marking a new phase in Moscow's aerial campaign. The Pivdennyi, or Southern, bridge was hit while a metro train was in transit, with passengers reporting dust entering their carriages from the blast wave.
Bridge Under Attack
The Pivdennyi bridge is a crucial crossing over the Dnipro river, which divides western and eastern Kyiv. While city authorities stated that initial checks found no critical structural damage, the attack serves as a stark reminder of Russia's continued targeting of the capital. This marks the first time Kyiv's bridges have been directly targeted in such a manner.
Meteorological officials noted that the strikes came shortly after coordinated attacks on Kyiv's energy grid, an event not seen on this scale since late spring. Commentators suggest Russia may be increasing its offensive efforts due to Ukraine's perceived shortage of air defense systems. The use of Iranian-designed "Shahed" drones, including a new jet-powered variant, has been noted for its effectiveness against infrastructure.
New Drone Technology
Ukrainian officials report that a new design of Russian jet-powered drones, capable of carrying a 40kg warhead and specifically designed to damage high-voltage electricity pylons and bridge structures, entered service on Wednesday. Ukrainian air force officials stated that in September alone, at least 3,177 drones were launched, with their high speed posing challenges to the country's air defenses.
Previous drone attacks in Kyiv have targeted critical infrastructure, including the Institute of Nuclear Research and the National Academy of Sciences, with one fatality reported earlier in the week at the latter.
While metro train services were suspended following the bridge attack, road traffic was eventually permitted to resume. The specific type of drone used in the Pivdennyi bridge strike is not yet confirmed.