Russian drone strikes hit the Northern Bridge in Kyiv early this morning, blocking traffic from the left bank to the right bank and intensifying an ongoing infrastructure campaign against the Ukrainian capital, nos.nl reported. The attack follows multiple recent strikes targeting the city’s Southern Bridge, disrupting daily commutes and heightening pressure on residents as winter approaches.
Traffic Blocked on the Northern Bridge in Kyiv
Mayor Klitsjko announced on Telegram that traffic across the Northern Bridge is no longer possible following the overnight strike, nos.nl reported. The disruption cuts off a vital artery connecting the eastern and western sections of Kyiv across the Dnipro River. Many residents live on the eastern side of the river but must cross to reach workplaces, government offices, and businesses clustered on the western side.
Russian forces have escalated attacks on Kyiv significantly over recent weeks. According to Nieuwsuur cited by nos.nl, the city faced nearly twice as many attacks in September as it did the month before. Central Kyiv has been heavily targeted by drones and missiles, resulting in civilian casualties, power and gas outages ahead of winter, and damage to symbolic landmarks such as a historic monastery complex and a local book market.
Expert Analysis of Bridge Attacks and Transport Disruption
While the strikes on infrastructure cause severe traffic jams and daily friction, an aviation expert speaking to The Kyiv Independent stated that destroying the spans entirely is practically improbable, nos.nl reported. The expert explained that even large explosive loads struggle to demolish heavy steel bridges, indicating that the drone campaign is primarily designed to apply psychological pressure and disrupt daily civilian life rather than achieve structural collapse.
Parallel attacks in the region have targeted broader communication networks. Three separate strikes within a 24-hour period crippled the primary datacenter of telecommunication operator Cosmonova in Kyiv, knocking several television networks off the air and causing widespread internet disruptions for providers such as Kolo TB, Domonet, Kievnet, and Faust. The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed the facility supported Starlink systems for Ukrainian forces, though that assertion remains unverified.
Exclusion of Three EU Nations from the Special Aggression Tribunal
While infrastructure absorbs daily strikes, diplomatic efforts to establish legal accountability face internal divisions within the European Union. Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia have refused to join a planned special “aggression tribunal” designed to prosecute senior leaders responsible for the Russian invasion, European Commissioner Michael McGrath announced. The tribunal is slated to be established in The Hague under the flag of the Council of Europe.
Commissioner McGrath emphasized after a meeting of EU justice ministers that accountability and justice are prerequisites for a lasting peace, noting that 24 EU member states and 38 other countries intend to participate. The Netherlands is currently negotiating with the Council of Europe regarding operational costs and security measures. Meanwhile, unresolved questions remain regarding the precise timeline for tribunal deployment and the final total of participating nations outside the European bloc.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kyiv Infrastructure Attacks
Which bridges in Kyiv have been targeted by Russian drone strikes?
Russian forces have concentrated recent drone attacks on both the Southern Bridge and, most recently, the Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River, according to reports from nos.nl.
Which EU countries are not participating in the aggression tribunal?
Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia have declined to join the special tribunal being established under the Council of Europe to prosecute senior Russian leaders.
How have telecommunications been affected in the capital?
Three strikes within 24 hours destroyed the primary datacenter of telecommunication provider Cosmonova, disrupting internet service providers and forcing networks like Novyny Live and Armiia TV to switch to backup online platforms.
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