Russia strikes second major bridge in Kyiv, mayor says
Russia has struck a second major bridge in Kyiv in recent days, with the Northern Bridge being hit on Saturday following multiple attacks on the Southern Bridge since Thursday. These represent the first-ever strikes on these two critical bridges, which connect the eastern and western halves of the capital, marking a significant escalation in Moscow's military campaign against the city.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the attack damaged the road surface and overhead trolleybus wires on the Northern Bridge, forcing traffic to be blocked. The strikes prompted a crisis meeting of Kyiv's defence council on Friday, during which Klitschko warned that intensified Russian drone and missile strikes were "tearing Kyiv apart" by targeting critical infrastructure, logistics and housing.
- Russia strikes Kyiv's Northern Bridge, second major bridge hit in days.
- Southern Bridge targeted multiple times since Thursday in new campaign.
- Kyiv mayor warns critical infrastructure is being torn apart by strikes.
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Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has repeatedly attacked the capital, Kyiv, using missiles and drones. Two of the city's most strategically important bridges had never been directly targeted until recently, marking a significant development in the conflict.
The Northern Bridge and Southern Bridge connect eastern and western Kyiv and carry civilian traffic, humanitarian supplies, military resources and emergency vehicles. They are essential for maintaining civilian life and the city's ability to defend itself during wartime.
By targeting critical infrastructure such as bridges, Russia is pursuing a strategy that extends beyond purely military targets to disrupt the city's functioning. Destroying major bridges severely impacts transport networks and complicates the movement of supplies, evacuations and emergency services throughout Kyiv.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Strategic infrastructure serving military functions is a legitimate target in defensive warfare. These bridges facilitate supply lines and military movement essential to an invading force, and degrading such capabilities is recognised military doctrine. Whilst civilian disruption is regrettable, the paramount imperative to defeat an aggressor and protect national sovereignty justifies operations against infrastructure with significant military utility.
The case against
Civilian infrastructure merits protection under international humanitarian law regardless of secondary military uses. These bridges are vital civilian arteries for transport, medical services and commerce whose destruction causes widespread suffering among non-combatants. The military advantage from such targeting is limited compared to humanitarian cost, violating the principles of distinction and proportionality that define lawful warfare.