Russian strikes hit key Kyiv bridges, prompting closures and plans for pontoon crossings

Russian air attacks struck major bridges across Kyiv’s Dnipro River over several days, damaging transport links and causing widespread traffic disruption in the Ukrainian capital.

The Pivnichnyi, or Northern, Bridge was hit for a second consecutive day on Sunday, the BBC reported. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said an earlier strike on the bridge injured two people and damaged its road surface and trolleybus wires, forcing officials to block traffic from the left bank to the right bank.

The Pivdennyi, or Southern, Bridge was also struck multiple times during attacks earlier in the week, including another reported strike announced by Klitschko. Ukrainian authorities closed the Southern and Paton bridges and restricted traffic on the Metro Bridge after the attacks, according to Ukrainska Pravda. The disruptions left long lines of vehicles on major roads.

Ukraine plans to build pontoon crossings to help restore movement between the two sides of the city, Infrastructure Minister Mykola Kalashnyk told Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne. He said construction had begun and could take up to three months. Officials are also considering tunnels beneath the river, though Kalashnyk said protecting and rapidly repairing existing bridges remained the priority.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of intensifying attacks on urban infrastructure and said Ukraine would continue striking Russian oil refineries in response while avoiding civilian targets. Russia has denied systematically targeting civilians and warned foreign diplomats and nationals to leave Kyiv ahead of further strikes.