Russian Drones Strike Kyiv Bridge As Attacks Intensify Ahead Of Winter
At a Glance
- Two Russian drones struck Kyiv’s Southern Bridge over the Dnipro River on Thursday, according to Ukrainian officials.
- The bridge was temporarily closed but later reopened after an initial inspection found no critical structural damage.
- Ukraine says Russia has intensified attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure ahead of winter.
- Kyiv also reports battlefield gains in Donetsk, saying its Operation Vivaldi has regained 176 square kilometers.
Russian drones struck a major bridge in the Ukrainian capital on Thursday for the first time since the start of the full-scale war, as Moscow intensifies aerial attacks on critical infrastructure ahead of winter.
The two strikes hit the Southern Bridge, a key transport link across the Dnipro River, temporarily disrupting traffic before the crossing was reopened.
Key Statements
“Specialists did not find any critical damage to the structure.”
— Kyiv City State Administration
“I believe that the enemy is planning to attack critical high-voltage power transmission lines.”
— Sergiy Beskrestnov, adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky
The attack on the Southern Bridge comes amid a broader increase in Russian drone and missile strikes against Kyiv and Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian authorities have warned that the attacks are aimed at disrupting electricity and heating supplies before the winter months, when temperatures can fall sharply and demand for energy rises.
Main Story
Two Russian drones struck Kyiv's Southern Bridge on Thursday, causing an explosion near one of its support sections and sending thick smoke into the air, according to footage shared by Ukrainian officials and media.
The bridge, which connects eastern and western parts of Kyiv across the Dnipro River, was temporarily closed following the strikes before reopening. An initial inspection found no critical structural damage, according to the Kyiv city administration.
The strike followed a major wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy sector. Kyiv has accused Moscow of deliberately targeting the power grid ahead of winter, while Russia has acknowledged targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure during the war.
Ukraine says Russia is increasingly using high-speed, jet-powered attack drones that are more difficult for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept. Kyiv has also warned that newer drones are being adapted to strike power infrastructure and other critical facilities.
On Wednesday, a Russian drone also struck the grounds of Ukraine's Institute for Nuclear Research in Kyiv. Ukraine's nuclear regulator said the resulting fire was quickly extinguished and that the research reactor and safety systems were not damaged. No change in radiation levels was recorded, according to the regulator.
The reactor has remained shut down since 2022.
Power Cuts And Winter Concerns
The intensifying attacks have raised concerns over Ukraine's ability to maintain electricity and heating supplies through the coming winter.
Ukrenergo, Ukraine's grid operator, has reported power disruptions in several regions and urged consumers to limit electricity use as demand rises.
Ukraine's air force reported a significant increase in Russian drone attacks during September, while Kyiv continues to seek additional air-defense systems, including U.S.-made Patriot interceptors.
A Russian drone also struck a school in Kyiv on Thursday, causing a fire while students and teachers were sheltering inside. No injuries were reported in that incident.
Ukraine Reports Battlefield Gains
While Russian forces have intensified aerial attacks, Ukraine says its forces have made gains in the Donetsk region.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces have regained 176 square kilometers during Operation Vivaldi, a counteroffensive near Lyman aimed at preventing Russian forces from advancing behind the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk urban area.
The figure is based on Ukrainian military and government reporting and has not been independently verified in full. The Institute for the Study of War has previously assessed that the operation disrupted Russia's plans for a wider encirclement of Ukraine's so-called Fortress Belt.
FYI
The latest strikes highlight the two-track nature of the war as winter approaches: Russia is increasing pressure on Ukraine's infrastructure, particularly the energy system, while Ukrainian forces are attempting to disrupt Russian advances in Donetsk.
For Kyiv, protecting the power grid and transport infrastructure is increasingly tied to civilian resilience during the winter. The use of faster jet-powered drones adds another challenge for Ukrainian air defenses, which are already under pressure from the scale of Russian attacks.
At the same time, Ukraine's reported gains around Lyman could complicate Russia's efforts to advance toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Ukrainian claims of territorial gains remain subject to the normal limitations of wartime battlefield reporting and independent verification.
Dive Deeper: Handpicked Stories for You
Follow Channel8 for continuous updates:
Russia Urges Iran To Remain In Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
1 hour ago