Russian strikes on Kyiv bridges could create "logistical nightmare" for Ukraine, NYT reports

Russian attacks could force the Ukrainian authorities to close Kyiv's bridges for an extended period, which would result in a "logistical nightmare" for the capital and the whole of Ukraine.

Source: The New York Times

Details: Food and equipment are transported across the Dnipro River via Kyiv's bridges. If the crossings are closed, there will be few alternative routes, and transport will require long detours, the NYT notes.

According to the NYT, the nearest road bridge south of Kyiv is about 145 km away, a drive of roughly two and a half hours. Other crossings further downstream are closer to the front, making them even more vulnerable to Russian attacks.

The newspaper calculates that Russian forces have attacked the capital's bridges six times between 1 and 3 October: five strikes hit the Pivdennyi (South) Bridge, and one hit the Pivnichnyi (North) Bridge. The damage and the threat of repeat attacks led to traffic restrictions or a complete halt on five of the city's six road bridges.

The bridges are still standing, but further strikes could weaken their supporting structures. The authorities could then close the crossings indefinitely to reduce the risk of collapse, the NYT explains.

This also threatens the daily commutes of Kyiv residents. About a million people live on the predominantly residential left bank, while most government institutions and businesses are concentrated on the right bank.

Ukrainian officials and military experts cited by the NYT believe the strikes on the bridges are part of a campaign to destroy Ukraine's economy and undermine its ability to sustain the war effort. Russian forces are also attacking warehouses, railways, data centres, medical facilities and steel plants.

Background:

• On 1 October, two drones struck near the supporting structure of the Pivdennyi Bridge. Following the strikes, traffic on the metro and overground across the crossing was halted to inspect the structures.
• During the day on 2 October, Kyiv City Military Administration reported damage to a support, the road surface and the concrete protection of the metro tracks following previous attacks.
• The Kyiv Metro is ready to resume running trains across the Pivdennyi Bridge during "yellow" alerts – warnings issued in response to drone threats – but only after receiving an expert assessment of the bridge's condition.
• On 2 October, another strike on the Pivdennyi Bridge was recorded in Kyiv.
• On 3 October, a Russian jet-powered drone struck the Pivnichnyi Bridge in Kyiv, which connects the right and left banks of the Dnipro River.

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