Russia 'tearing Kyiv apart', mayor says, as strikes paralyse traffic

Russian forces have repeatedly targeted Kyiv's Southern Bridge, a crucial crossing over the Dnipro River, with drones since October 1st. This has disrupted one of the city's principal routes connecting the left and right banks of the river. The bridge, which also forms part of Kyiv's metro network, has been fully shut down to traffic following the latest attacks.

Additionally, restrictions have been imposed on the Metro and Paton bridges. Public transport has been redirected via alternative routes, causing significant traffic congestion throughout the capital. On the evening of October 2nd, Russian forces struck the Southern Bridge once again, leaving it closed to road traffic and metro services.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russia launched a barrage of over 100 attack drones, nearly 50 of which were jet-powered Geran drones. Despite the persistent attacks, the bridge has not been destroyed, but the continuous assaults have prompted authorities to restrict its usage and reorganize traffic across the Dnipro.

Ukrainian analyst Andrii Kovalenko opined that while Russia's weapons are incapable of destroying the bridge, they can still cause enough damage to disrupt its normal functioning. Zelenskyy claimed that Russia's intensified attacks are part of a larger strategy to undermine life in Ukrainian cities, damage infrastructure, and force Ukrainians to abandon their cities.