Ukrainian officials estimate when transport links in southern Odesa Oblast will be fully restored

Ukraine's Agency for Restoration has said it is working with all relevant agencies to fully restore transport links in southern Odesa Oblast in the coming days following Russian strikes on a bridge over the Dnister River, adding that it could take about two and a half months to build additional temporary traffic structures.

Source: Serhii Sukhomlyn, Head of the Agency for Restoration, in an interview with Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne

Quote: "The engineers are considering two or three options, and the construction of new structures is expected to take about two and a half months. But the main task is to restore transport links in full in the coming days."

Details: Sukhomlyn added that there are currently no major problems with the supply of medicines or food in either part of Odesa Oblast and that officials are working through temporary freight transportation options to facilitate deliveries of petroleum products and other vital supplies to the south of the oblast.

Sukhomlyn said work on dealing with the aftermath of the latest Russian strikes has begun. All the relevant agencies are involved, particularly the leadership of the oblast military administration and central government bodies, including Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba.

Quote: "Logistics in the south of Odesa Oblast have been secured. There are currently no major issues with the supply of medicine and food in either part of the oblast. Deliveries are continuing."

More details: Sukhomlyn added that the extent of damage to the bridge is being assessed in conjunction with a specialist institute. The load-bearing elements are being checked to determine how and when repairs can be carried out.

He said alternative routes are being considered to keep transport links in place, including the option of building temporary structures.

Background:

• The bridge on the M-15 Odesa-Reni motorway (towards Bucharest) in the village of Maiaky, Odesa Oblast, has been closed to traffic since 08:00 on 19 December.
• The M-15 Odesa-Reni motorway has been closed to freight traffic due to the need to deal with the aftermath of Russian strikes on Odesa Oblast.
• Due to the closure of the Odesa-Reni motorway, the State Customs Service has advised people to cross into Moldova via the Mamalyha-Criva and Sokyriany-Ocniţa checkpoints for freight and the Bronnytsia-Unguri, Vashkivtsi-Grimăncăuți, Rososhany-Briceni and Kelmentsi-Larga checkpoints for passengers.
• On the night of 18-19 December, Russian forces once again attacked the city of Odesa, injuring one person and leaving part of the city temporarily without water, heating or electricity.
• It was reported earlier that a Russian attack drone hit a civilian vehicle as it was crossing a bridge in the Odesa district, killing a mother and injuring three children.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!