Traffic chaos in Kyiv after Russian strikes hit key bridge

Traffic came to a standstill in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, on Friday following Russian drone strikes that closed a major bridge and restricted access to others. Long lines of cars and buses formed on the city's main roads as commuters searched for alternate routes. The Southern Bridge, one of eight that span the Dnipro River, was entirely closed to traffic in both directions after Russian drones targeted its support structures on Thursday.

Although the Paton Bridge, located further north, remained open in one direction, no reports indicated that it had been targeted.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that the Paton Bridge was open but had experienced no damage. However, the Southern Bridge suffered multiple drone strikes on Thursday night and early Friday, damaging a bridge pier, the road surface, and a protective concrete barrier along the subway line. Despite reopening to traffic and Metro train services shortly after the closures, the bridge continued to face repeated drone strikes.

Kyiv has become increasingly vulnerable to Russian drone and missile attacks since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The city, home to approximately three million people, has been under near-constant aerial bombardment, causing significant disruption to daily life. Air raid sirens, warning of potential threats from the sky, have been sounding almost continuously, prompting residents to seek shelter.

Trains and petrol stations have also been targeted in previous attacks, further disrupting transportation and commerce in the city. In response to the latest Russian strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on countries to tighten sanctions to prevent Russia from manufacturing and deploying its new, faster, and more difficult-to-intercept jet-powered drones.

Zelensky emphasized that every Russian drone is dependent on foreign components and can be stopped at the production line, urging stronger sanctions to be implemented. Zelensky has repeatedly urged Western allies for additional military support, particularly Patriot missile interceptors, which Ukraine deployed for the first time in combat on Thursday evening.