ISW: Russia strikes the Mayaki bridge linking southern Ukraine to Romania and Moldova
Moscow's overnight hit on the M-15 highway forced Kyiv to halt traffic toward the Danube ports, its main grain outlet after sea exports collapsed.
On 9 August, Russian forces struck the Mayaki bridge on the M-15 highway, severing a crucial land route that connects southern Ukraine to Moldova and Romania, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). This bridge, which traverses the Dniester River, feeds the Danube ports that have become Kyiv's primary export outlet since Russian strikes crippled its Black Sea shipping.
Conflicting reports emerged, with some claiming the bridge was destroyed while others presented footage suggesting it remained intact. Local authorities in Izmail reported damage to the crossing on the same day. Ukraine's State Border Guard Service confirmed that traffic was briefly restricted on the route. Moscow had previously targeted the same bridge in December 2025.
Analysts suggest the strike was aimed at disrupting Ukrainian grain exports, which currently traverse a land corridor following the disruption of maritime routes. Russian forces intensified this campaign since July 2026, damaging more than 20 ships near the Black Sea, according to a Navy spokesperson. Ukraine's Agri Council estimated a third reduction in grain-export capacity due to Russian attacks.
The Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food emphasized the need to reroute grain and cargo through the Danube River. Analysts believe Russia is shifting its strikes from the sea to the land corridor to block grain exports and weaken Ukraine's economy. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan proposed a moratorium on strikes against merchant ships in the Black Sea, awaiting a response from both Moscow and Kyiv.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
