Attacks on Kyiv's bridges could cause serious logistical problems — NYT

Russian attacks on Kyiv’s bridges could force the authorities to restrict or completely halt traffic across them for an extended period. According to The New York Times, this poses a risk of serious logistical problems for the capital and all of Ukraine.

People, food, equipment, and other cargo are transported across the Dnipro River bridges every day. If they are closed, there will be few alternative routes, and travel between the two banks may require significant detours.

 The NYT notes that the nearest road bridge south of Kyiv is located approximately 145 km from the capital. Other crossings further downstream are closer to the combat zone, which also makes them potentially vulnerable.

According to the publication, between October 1 and 3, Russia attacked Kyiv’s bridges six times: five strikes targeted the South Bridge and one targeted the North Bridge. Due to damage and the threat of new attacks, traffic restrictions or closures have affected five of the capital’s six road crossings.

For now, the bridges have held up, but repeated strikes could damage their supporting structures. In that case, the crossings may be closed for an extended period for safety reasons.

A separate challenge will be the mobility of the capital’s residents: about one million people live on the left bank, while a significant portion of government agencies and businesses are located on the right bank. Ukrainian officials and military experts quoted by the NYT view the attacks on the bridges as part of a broader Russian campaign against the Ukrainian economy and logistics.

Source: The New York Times

As a reminder, the South Bridge in Kyiv remains closed, and subway service on the open section has been suspended.

As a reminder, metro service across the South Bridge in Kyiv may resume during yellow alerts.

Russia may have used a new 40-kilogram warhead during the strike on the South Bridge in Kyiv.