Kyiv authorities closed several critical bridges connecting the western and eastern banks of the Dnipro River on Friday after a Russian drone assault resulted in at least one fatality. The attacks severely disrupted transportation in the Ukrainian capital, which is linked by eight bridges across the waterway.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that the Pivdennyi Bridge, also referred to as the Southern Bridge, was completely shut down to all traffic. This concrete and steel structure serves both vehicular and metro rail passengers. Klitschko also noted that the Paton Bridge was closed to traffic heading toward the left bank. The Southern Bridge has been targeted twice in as many days by Russian drones.
In the Darnytskyi district of southeastern Kyiv, a Russian strike hit a 25-story residential building. Emergency responders were seen at the scene as authorities reported one person dead and two others injured. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its drones targeted a bridge used for military purposes in the area. Additionally, Moscow stated it attacked a power station in the surrounding Kyiv region, the Port of Izmail near the Black Sea, and a cargo vessel.
The incident marks another instance in the ongoing conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine has been developing interceptor technologies to counter the frequent overnight drone campaigns that have terrorized residents.
In a reciprocal move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that his forces conducted operations over the past 24 hours against oil facilities in Russia. Speaking on social media platform X, Zelenskyy detailed successful strikes in the Black Sea as well as in the Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod, Volgograd, Samara, and Krasnodar regions. Targets included airfields, industrial sites, oil refineries, a missile and space center, and an ammunition depot.
Regional officials reported collateral damage from Ukrainian drones as well. In the Volgograd region, an apartment building was damaged and one person was wounded. In the city of Tuapse, located in the Krasnodar region, drone debris struck a local enterprise.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian energy infrastructure over the last year in an effort to degrade the adversary’s fuel supply. In response to these strikes, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that the attacks have cost Russia 1% of its gross domestic product.
Just want to get to work without panic. This daily routine of air raids is exhausting for everyone in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy’s counter strikes seem to be spreading. Collateral damage in Russian apartment blocks is a worrying escalation.
The Paton Bridge has a history of being targeted. Why aren’t they protecting critical infrastructure better?
Putin claiming 1% GDP loss from drone strikes? That sounds like a terrible way to try to win a war.
One dead is too many. Hopefully the bridge closures are temporary and people get home safely tonight.