Russian Strike Hits Another Major Bridge in Kyiv

A devastating Russian strike has hit another major bridge in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, according to Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko. This is the second major bridge to be targeted by Moscow's forces in recent days, causing significant disruptions to traffic and infrastructure.

The attack on Saturday morning resulted in injuries to two people, with damage reported to the road surface and overhead trolleybus wires on the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge. The strike has caused severe congestion on Kyiv's roads, with traffic jams reported across the city.

This latest attack follows a series of strikes against critical infrastructure in Ukraine's capital. The Pivdennyi (Southern) Bridge was hit multiple times by Russian drones earlier this week, prompting Mayor Klitschko to warn that "the enemy is tearing Kyiv apart".

Russia has claimed its drones targeted the two bridges used for transferring Ukrainian troops and military cargo. Moscow has once again urged foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave Kyiv as a precautionary measure.

The Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge connects the western part of the capital with the eastern side across the Dnipro River, while the Pivdennyi (Southern) Bridge links the two parts of the city. Both bridges have been crucial for road and rail transport, as well as trolleybus services, connecting three million residents who rely heavily on public transportation every day.

Emergency services were dispatched to the Pivnichnyi Bridge after it was hit, according to a Telegram message from Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko. He confirmed that traffic on the bridge had been blocked in one direction.

The attack follows a previous strike on the nearby Pivdennyi Bridge, which prompted a crisis meeting of Kyiv's defence council on Friday. Klitschko warned after the meeting that the city was facing a "very dramatic situation" due to the Russian assault on its critical infrastructure and key facilities.

Experts have pointed out that while drones may not be able to bring down the bridges, repeated attacks will inevitably force their closure and weaken their structure over time, making them unusable. Some of the bridges are also reported to be in a poor condition due to years of carrying heavier traffic than they were designed for.

The aftermath of the Pivdennyi Bridge attack has left passengers shaken, with some describing how dust from a blast wave entered their carriage through the ventilation system. The incident is just one of many in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, where the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian leader Vladimir Putin of abandoning all rules of engagement in his attacks on Ukraine. In a recent interview, Zelensky highlighted the devastating impact of these assaults, which have resulted in massive destruction and loss of life. He also emphasized that Russia's goal is to cripple Ukraine's infrastructure and force its people to flee their cities.

Putin has pushed back against these claims, insisting that Russia's attacks on Ukrainian economic targets are a direct response to Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries and ships in the Black Sea. The Kremlin leader acknowledged that Ukraine had achieved some success with its refinery attacks, which have resulted in significant losses for Russia, estimated at around 1% of its GDP.

Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have been escalating over the winter months since Putin launched his full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The Kremlin's aggressive tactics have resulted in significant losses for Russia, estimated at around 1% of its GDP, as acknowledged by the Kremlin leader. In addition to targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Russian forces have also attacked civilian ships and ports, including a Liberia-flagged ship in the Odesa region where one sailor was killed and three others injured, according to Ukrainian port authorities.

At least 12 people were injured in overnight strikes on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Kyiv regions by Russian forces. Furthermore, two people lost their lives and three others were injured when a Ukrainian drone struck the eastern Luhansk region occupied by Russia, according to the Moscow-installed regional head.

Russian forces have also targeted key infrastructure in Ukraine's capital, with a busy bridge being hit central Kyiv, causing widespread disruption and destruction. The city's mayor has warned that intensified Russian strikes are tearing Kyiv apart, underscoring the devastating impact of these attacks on civilians and the country as a whole.