Kyiv, Oct 3: A Russian strike damaged Kyiv’s Northern Bridge early Saturday, forcing the suspension of traffic and causing congestion as the Ukrainian capital faced disruptions to several key crossings over the Dnipro River.
The attack came a day after Russian strikes led to the full or partial closure of three of Kyiv’s six road bridges across the river. The latest strike is part of a broader escalation of attacks on infrastructure and other targets in the capital.
Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said the strike damaged the bridge’s road surface and trolleybus cables, prompting authorities to suspend traffic. No casualties were reported.
Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed that its forces carried out the attack, claiming the bridge was being used to support troop movements and the transportation of military cargo for Ukraine’s armed forces.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the moment the bridge was hit, including footage reportedly recorded from a vehicle’s dashcam.
The latest attack comes amid continued fighting along the approximately 1,250-kilometre front line across northern, eastern and southern Ukraine. The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion more than four years ago, has shown few signs of a lasting peace settlement.
The aerial campaign has also intensified, with Ukraine targeting Russian oil facilities and businesses while Russia has continued attacks on Ukrainian cities using ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu said the conflict was increasingly affecting her country following reported airspace violations.
“I condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine this morning. Its war is dangerously reaching Moldova,” Sandu said in a post on X, claiming that five Russian aerial weapons, including Banderol missiles and drones, had entered Moldovan airspace and exploded on its territory.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched Banderol cruise missiles at the Odesa region overnight. The region shares a long border with Moldova. Banderol weapons are described as relatively low-cost, jet-powered loitering munitions designed to evade or overwhelm air defence systems.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the Russian city of Kaluga overnight, damaging apartment buildings and injuring people, according to regional Governor Vladislav Shapsha.
Shapsha said 13 drones were shot down over the Kaluga region during the night, though he did not immediately provide details on the number of people injured.
