Russian Drones Strike Kyiv Bridge as Attacks Disrupt Transport and Power

Two Russian drones struck one of Kyiv’s main bridges on Thursday, disrupting public transport in the Ukrainian capital and marking a new development in Moscow’s attacks on the city.

The Pivdennyi, or Southern Bridge, was hit while a metro train was crossing the Dnipro. Passengers described a blast that sent dust through the train’s ventilation system.

The bridge is one of Kyiv’s key transport links across the Dnipro, connecting the western and eastern sides of the capital.

Kyiv’s bridges had not previously been targeted. Despite a major explosion near one of the bridge’s main support sections, city authorities said preliminary inspections had found no critical structural damage.

Metro services were suspended following the attack, although road traffic was later allowed to resume.

Drone strikes hit Kyiv school

The bridge attack came after a Russian drone struck a school in Kyiv earlier on Thursday.

The drone hit the building’s third floor at around 09:00 local time. More than 100 students were inside the school at the time, but all had reached a shelter before the impact.

Part of a wall collapsed in the strike.

School head teacher Valentyna Chorna said the shelter protected the students and staff.

“The structure is strong, so none of the children were hurt, neither were any staff,” Chorna said. “They just kept on with their lessons.”

Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians. Chorna said that destroying Ukraine would require destroying its children, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia must be held fully accountable.

Passengers describe bridge strike

Later that morning, two drones hit the Pivdennyi Bridge, with one striking the base of a central support.

Mariana Mykytenko, a reporter for Ukrainian broadcaster 5 Kanal, was travelling on the metro when the attack occurred.

She said a passenger shouted “Shahed” before the blast, referring to the Iranian-designed drones used by Russia.

Dust then poured into the carriage. No one in her compartment was injured.

The train continued to Vydubychi station on the right bank of the Dnipro, but did not continue beyond the station.

The exact type of drone used in the bridge attack has not been established.

New Russian jet-powered drones raise concerns

Ukrainian officials say a new type of Russian jet-powered drone entered operational use for the first time on Wednesday.

According to Ukrainian technology adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov, also known as Flash, the drone carries a 40kg warhead and was specifically designed to destroy high-voltage electricity pylons and iron bridge structures.

Russia has increasingly used jet-powered drones in recent weeks. Ukrainian air force officials say at least 3,177 such drones were launched during September.

Their high speed has created additional difficulties for Ukraine’s air defences.

Kyiv also faces renewed attacks on energy infrastructure

The latest strikes come after Kyiv experienced its first coordinated attacks on the city’s energy grid since the end of last winter.

The attacks have resulted in a return to power cuts in the capital.

Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said the scale of the combined strike had not been seen since the end of spring, despite preparations by Kyiv authorities, who have spent months building smaller power plants ahead of an anticipated Russian winter campaign.

The city’s infrastructure has also faced other recent attacks. Kyiv’s Institute of Nuclear Research was targeted by a drone on Wednesday night.

Earlier in the week, one person was killed when a drone struck Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences.

The latest attacks have underscored the continuing pressure on Kyiv’s air defences as Russia expands its use of faster, jet-powered drones.