Russian forces have launched a series of attacks on critical bridges spanning the Dnipro River in Kyiv, with the latest strike hitting the Northern Bridge and blocking traffic from the left to right bank of the Ukrainian capital, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko.
The assault on the Northern Bridge damaged both the road surface and the trolleybus power network, Klitschko announced. Witnesses cited by Ukrainska Pravda reported that a jet-powered drone was used in the attack. The strike represents at least the fifth attack on Kyiv’s Dnipro bridges in recent days, according to the Ukrainian news outlet.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the attack, justifying the strike by claiming the Northern Bridge is used by Ukrainian military forces to transport troops and military supplies. The ministry stated that the bridge “secures the transfer of troops and logistics during the delivery of military cargo for the Armed Forces of Ukraine”.
Pattern of strikes on civilian infrastructure
The Northern Bridge attack followed strikes on the Southern Bridge on Thursday and Friday. Anton Geraszczenko, a former adviser to the Ukrainian government, described the repeated targeting of bridges used by civilians as a “new phase of the war” and “pure terrorism”.
Former SBU officer Ivan Stupak suggested that Russia aims to reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian logistics. He proposed building a tunnel under the Dnipro as a solution, acknowledging the cost would run into billions of dollars but arguing it has become a matter of survival.
“We need at least one such tunnel. I understand that it’s billions of dollars. But we must have at least one such tunnel. Technical solutions have appeared and now it is already possible. The issue comes down solely to financing. For us, however, this is a matter of survival. It needs to be built, at least for military purposes,” Stupak said.
Kyiv mayor warns of dramatic situation
During a Friday press briefing, Mayor Klitschko told journalists that the situation in Kyiv is dramatic. According to Ukrainian sources, the bridge attacks stem from a personal order by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Friday that the Russian leader had ordered military commanders to “abandon the principles of war”.
The targeting of bridges connecting the two banks of the Dnipro represents a significant escalation in Russian attacks on Kyiv’s infrastructure. The strikes disrupt not only military logistics but also civilian movement and public transport across the Ukrainian capital, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents who rely on these crossings for daily commutes and access to essential services.
What this means for Poles in Poland
The intensification of Russian strikes on critical infrastructure in Kyiv has direct implications for Poland’s security and humanitarian response. Poland shares a 535-kilometre border with Ukraine and has been a principal corridor for military aid deliveries and humanitarian assistance since the full-scale invasion began. Disruption to Kyiv’s infrastructure could affect the flow of refugees and increase pressure on Polish border facilities.
The targeting of civilian infrastructure also underscores the ongoing security threat to Poland’s eastern flank. Polish defence officials have repeatedly warned that Russia’s tactics in Ukraine, including attacks on bridges and power networks, represent a potential blueprint for hybrid warfare that could affect NATO’s eastern members. Poles should remain alert to official government communications regarding civil defence preparedness and any updates to emergency protocols, particularly in eastern voivodeships.
