{
  "id": 13040327,
  "title": "Smoke screens and wire nets could shield Ukraine's bridges from drones — expert",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/smoke-screens-and-wire-nets-could-shield-ukraines-bridges-from-drones",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T05:43:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Voice of Ukraine",
    "slug": "new-voice-of-ukraine",
    "url": "https://english.nv.ua/nation/expert-suggests-low-tech-solutions-to-protect-ukrainian-bridges-from-drone-strikes-50648472.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukraine explores smoke screens and heavy-duty wire netting to protect its bridges from Russian drone strikes, according to aviation expert Valerii Romanenko. The expert explained that while smoke screens won't stop drones, they can be effective against manually piloted drones due to their inaccuracy within a few dozen meters. Romanenko recommended using thick wire meshing to protect critical bridge components, noting that even a direct hit wouldn't collapse the bridge, but could damage the asphalt road surface. Russian forces began a drone campaign targeting Kyiv's bridges starting October 1, with the Southern Bridge being the first hit, followed by the Northern Bridge on October 3. These strikes led to the closure or restriction of access to the city's major bridges, causing traffic paralysis and delays across the capital.",
  "summary": "Ukraine could protect its bridges from Russian drone strikes by deploying smoke screens and heavy-duty wire netting, aviation expert and leading researcher at the State Aviation Museum Valerii Romanenko told Radio NV on October 8.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ukraine considers smoke screens and wire nets for bridge protection.",
    "Smoke screens ineffective against drones but hinder manual piloting.",
    "Russian drone strikes began Oct 1, targeting Kyiv's bridges."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Ukraine's adoption of smoke screens and wire nets to shield bridges from drone strikes signals a tactical adaptation to counter Russian tactics that have successfully disrupted traffic in Kyiv.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}