Russia Turns to Striking Kyiv’s Bridges, Threatening a Vital Lifeline

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv Bridges in Escalating Infrastructure Attacks

   Russian forces have targeted critical transport links in Kyiv, launching drone and missile attacks against bridges crossing the Dnipro River. The strikes, which have damaged structures including the Northern Bridge and the Southern Bridge, mark a shift in Moscow's strategy to disrupt daily movement and infrastructure within the Ukrainian capital. The recent barrage across three days has caused traffic disruptions and left at least six people dead across the country. Officials indicate the campaign aims to fracture the city's transit network as winter approaches.

   Why it matters

   The Dnipro River bridges represent essential lifelines for daily commuters and logistical support within Kyiv, having remained largely unhitched since the full-scale invasion began. Targeting these transit routes signals an escalation in broader Russian bombing campaigns against vital urban infrastructure. The attacks coincided with a visit to Ukraine by Germany's chancellor in a show of foreign support.

   What is confirmed

   • Russian attacks damaged Kyiv's Northern Bridge and struck other crossings over the Dnipro River.
   • Widespread Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least six people.
   • The bridge strikes caused traffic disruptions in Kyiv for a third consecutive day.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russia is hitting Kyiv bridges with the specific intention of making the capital unlivable by winter.
   • The latest strategy by Russia is an attempt to carve the city in two.

   What to watch next

   • Further assessments of structural damage to the Dnipro River bridges
   • Ukrainian military response involving intensified attacks on Russian oil refineries
   • International diplomatic reactions from visiting foreign leaders regarding urban infrastructure strikes
   Sources used for this update (20)

   1. www.newsweek.com — Correction policies and requests
   2. BBC — Russia strikes second major bridge in Kyiv, mayor says
   3. Reuters — Bridge across Dnipro river in Kyiv hit during Russian attack, mayor says
   4. The New York Times — Russia Turns to Striking Kyiv’s Bridges, Threatening a Vital Lifeline
   5. CNN — Russia strikes another major bridge in Kyiv as attacks on Ukrainian capital escalate
   6. AP News — Russian attacks kill 6 in Ukraine and damage Kyiv’s Northern Bridge
   7. www.kyivpost.com — Russia Turns Its Drone War on Kyiv’s Dnipro Bridges – Why Now?
   8. The Telegraph — Russia bombs Kyiv bridge in new tactic to carve city in two
   9. dw.com — Zelenskyy says Ukraine will intensify oil refinery attacks as Kyiv bridges come under fire
   10. The Washington Post — Russia is hitting Kyiv’s bridges, hoping to make the capital unlivable by winter
   11. CNN — Russian drone slams into bridge in Kyiv as Germany’s chancellor visits
   12. The Guardian — Russia strikes Kyiv bridge as German chancellor visits Ukraine in show of support
   confidence 95%