KYIV – A Russian strike damaged Kyiv’s Northern Bridge early Saturday, suspending traffic and causing tailbacks for a third consecutive day, in Moscow’s ongoing efforts to disrupt daily life in the Ukrainian capital.
The attack occurred a day after Russian assaults prompted the full or partial closure of three of Kyiv’s six main road bridges over the Dnipro River. These recent strikes have targeted various civilian infrastructures, including apartment blocks, supermarket warehouses, gas stations, and data centers, marking a troubling escalation in the conflict.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine more than four and a half years ago, a comprehensive peace settlement remains elusive. The fighting along the approximately 1,250-kilometer (780-mile) front line has stagnated in recent months, contributing to a grim atmosphere in both Ukraine and neighboring regions.
Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko confirmed that the strike damaged not only the road surface but also trolleybus cables, necessitating a suspension of traffic. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident.
Russia’s Defense Ministry later acknowledged the attack, claiming that the bridge was utilized for “facilitating troop movements and the logistics of military cargo deliveries” for Ukraine’s armed forces. This statement underscores the dual-purpose nature of infrastructure in conflict zones.
Social media platforms were flooded with videos allegedly capturing the moment of impact, including footage from a driver’s dashcam, which provides a real-time glimpse into the chaos that ensues during such strikes.
The aerial conflict has escalated significantly, with Ukraine also targeting Russian oil facilities and businesses. Conversely, Moscow continues to threaten Ukrainian cities with challenging-to-intercept ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones, intensifying the urgency for effective air defense systems.
In a related development, Moldovan President Maia Sandu expressed concern over the war’s spread, asserting that recent airspace incursions are a serious threat to her country. “I condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine this morning. Its war is dangerously reaching Moldova,” she stated on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, highlighting the regional implications of the conflict.
President Sandu reported that five Russian air attack weapons, including Banderol missiles and drones, violated Moldovan airspace and detonated on its territory. “Moscow is putting lives at risk across Europe and must be stopped,” she added, emphasizing the need for international scrutiny and response.
Ukraine’s air force indicated that Moscow launched Banderol cruise missiles targeting the Odesa region, which shares a lengthy land border with Moldova. These low-cost, jet-powered loitering munitions are designed to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses by hovering and searching for targets before detonation.
In a striking counteraction, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted the city of Kaluga in western Russia overnight, damaging apartment buildings. Regional Governor Vladislav Shapsha noted that 13 drones were intercepted over the area during the night, indicating the ongoing tit-for-tat nature of the conflict.
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Associated Press writer Stephen McGrath in Coventry, England, contributed to this report.
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For ongoing coverage of the war in Ukraine, visit AP News.
