Bridges of Terror: Explosions in Russia Kill Seven and Injure Dozens Near Ukraine Border

The collapses of two bridges in Russian regions adjacent to Ukraine, which resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, were determined to be the result of explosions, according to Russian officials on Sunday. They are treating these events as «terrorist acts.»

In the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, a blast caused a road bridge to fall onto a railway late Saturday, leading to the derailment of a passenger train en route to Moscow, with seven fatalities reported from the incident.

Shortly thereafter, a separate rail bridge in the nearby Kursk region was also destroyed in an explosion in the early hours of Sunday, causing a freight train to derail and injuring its driver.

Authorities did not disclose the identity of those responsible for the explosions, but a criminal investigation is currently in progress, according to reports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was kept informed about the incidents throughout the night, as reported by the Kremlin.

Footage circulating on social media from the Bryansk region depicted rescuers navigating the twisted wreckage of a train operated by the national rail service, with distressing sounds audible in another uploaded video.

«There are seven fatalities due to the bridge collapse onto the railway tracks,» stated Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Bryansk region, in a Telegram message.

At least 71 individuals sustained injuries, with 44 requiring hospitalization, he informed the media.

In the Kursk region event, a rail bridge fell onto a road, derailing a freight train.

«Last night…in the Zheleznogorsk district, a bridge collapsed as a freight locomotive was passing. A portion of the train plummeted onto the road beneath the bridge,» Kursk region governor Alexander Khinshtein reported via Telegram.

«One of the locomotive’s drivers suffered leg injuries, and all crew members were transported to the hospital,» he added.

There was no immediate statement from Russian investigators regarding the perpetrators behind the explosions.

A representative from Russia’s Investigative Committee indicated that the incidents had been labeled as «terrorist acts,» although no additional details were provided.

However, Andrey Klishas, a senior lawmaker from the ruling party, attributed the blame to Ukraine, denouncing it as a «terrorist enclave.»

Ukraine, which Russia has accused in the past for similar occurrences, did not respond immediately.

Since Moscow initiated its full-scale military offensive against Ukraine in 2022, Russia has faced numerous acts of sabotage, many targeting its expansive railway infrastructure.

Kyiv asserts that Russia utilizes these railways to transport troops and munitions to its forces engaged in the conflict in Ukraine.

An AFP reporter noted that relatives were waiting for loved ones from the Bryansk region at a station in central Moscow.

«Russian Railways indicated that survivors would be arriving here,» said 30-year-old entrepreneur Sergey Trinkinets.

«My father finally managed to contact me. He mentioned having some bruises and feeling unwell, so I came to meet him,» he shared with reporters.

In a social media video purportedly filmed at the Bryansk incident scene, a person is heard crying out as bystanders rushed to assist.

«What caused the bridge to collapse? There are children involved!» a woman can be heard exclaiming in the video.

Russia’s emergency ministry announced that a team is on the ground in the Bryansk region, while Russian Railways reported sending repair crews to the site.

These events transpired just before a potential meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul, amidst a U.S.-led diplomatic effort aimed at resolving the prolonged conflict.

Moscow’s three-year military campaign against Ukraine has led to tens of thousands of casualties, and Russia currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine.