Russian Drone Assault Hits Kyiv Bridges And Kills One Person
Targeting key transit arteries over the Dnipro River threatens the capital's daily mobility and critical infrastructure during widening aerial bombardments.
Russian drone strikes hit Kyiv early Friday, killing at least one person, injuring two others and forcing authorities to close or restrict vital bridges across the Dnipro River. The disruption severed major transit links between the eastern and western halves of the capital.
The fatal strike hit a 25-story residential building in the Darnytsky district in eastern Kyiv, emergency services said. Firefighters discovered the victim while putting out a fire caused by the blast. The attack also damaged upper floors of the building and triggered fires in multiple locations.
Traffic across Kyiv ground to a halt as city officials shut down key crossings. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Southern Bridge was completely closed in both directions after sustaining damage. Russian drones hit the support structures and roadway of the bridge overnight, following repeated drone impacts the previous day.
The Kyiv City Military Administration also closed or restricted movement on the Paton Bridge and the Metro Bridge. Seven bridges normally carry subway, rail and road traffic across the Dnipro River in Kyiv. The sudden closures caused heavy congestion along river embankments, prompting many commuters to abandon cars and walk across remaining passages.
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram that its forces used drones against a road and rail bridge in Kyiv. The ministry claimed the bridge served Ukrainian military logistics. Russian officials also said their attacks hit an electrical substation west of Kyiv and port facilities in the Odesa region.
City transit officials redirected multiple bus and trolleybus routes across the Darnytsia and Podilskyi bridges to keep commuters moving. The Kyiv City Express rail service continued running on schedule across the river. Municipal engineering teams are now conducting structural assessments on the damaged bridges to determine when repairs can begin.
