A Russian strike hit the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge in Kyiv on Saturday morning, injuring two people and damaging the road surface and overhead trolleybus wires, according to Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko. The attack caused traffic congestion in the area. This incident follows multiple strikes on the Pivdennyi (Southern) Bridge earlier in the week, with Klitschko stating that "the enemy is tearing Kyiv apart."
Russia claimed that its drones targeted the bridges, which are used for transporting Ukrainian troops and military cargo. The Kremlin has urged foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave Kyiv. The two bridges across the Dnipro River connect the western and eastern parts of the city and had not been previously attacked until last Thursday.
The strikes have disrupted road, rail, and trolleybus services across the river, leading to traffic jams for a second consecutive day. While Friday's congestion was significant, it was not as severe as on previous days. Many of Kyiv's approximately three million residents rely on the metro for daily travel, raising concerns that sustained attacks could effectively divide the city.
Klitschko reported on Telegram that emergency services were responding to the incident on the Pivnichnyi Bridge, and traffic was blocked from moving between the left and right banks. Following earlier attacks on the Pivdennyi Bridge, a crisis meeting was convened by Kyiv's defense council. Klitschko described the situation as "very dramatic," emphasizing the impact on critical infrastructure and logistics.
Experts believe that while Russian drones are unlikely to destroy the bridges outright, repeated attacks could lead to their closure and structural weakening. Some bridges are reportedly in poor condition due to heavy traffic. Ukrainian lawmakers have discussed contingency plans, including the use of ferries or temporary pontoon bridges, to maintain connectivity in case of further destruction.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the attacks are a response to Ukraine's strikes on Russian energy facilities, despite the initial aggression from Russia. He acknowledged that Ukraine's refinery attacks had some impact, resulting in a loss of about 1% of Russia's GDP. Ukraine claims its actions are aimed at disrupting funding for the war.
In related news, a sailor was killed and three crew members injured in a Russian attack on a civilian ship in Ukraine's Black Sea port, while local officials reported at least 12 injuries from overnight strikes in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Kyiv regions. Additionally, Moldova summoned the Russian ambassador after drones crossed its border, causing explosions in several districts, though no injuries were reported.