The Ukrainian air force has delivered a significant blow to Russia’s war efforts by destroying a crucial bridge in the Kursk region, severely damaging both sides of the structure. The attack, carried out using Ukrainian air power, is expected to severely impede supply routes to Russian forces in the area, making it more difficult for them to respond to Ukraine’s incursion. According to Ukrainian air force chief Lieutenant Mykola Oleshchuk, a video released following the strike shows a significant column of smoke and flames rising from the scene, a testament to the effectiveness of the attack.
The destruction of the bridge follows a series of successes for Ukrainian forces in the region, including the capture of scores of villages and hundreds of prisoners. Ukraine’s Commander in Chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, has reported that Ukrainian forces have advanced across 390 square miles of the Kursk region, although it is unclear whether this figure is accurate. The attacks on the bridges, including a second bridge in the area, suggest that Kyiv may be planning to dig in and hold territory in the Kursk region.
However, analysts warn that such a move would be risky for Ukraine, given its limited resources and the vulnerability of its supply lines to Russian attack. In response to Ukraine’s incursion, Russia has launched ballistic missiles at the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. The attacks have been met with fierce Ukrainian air defenses, which have shot down all of the targets. The bombardment of Kyiv has added to the city’s vulnerability, with many residents living in fear of further attacks.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi (Via Oleksandr Syrskyi/Twitter)
Meanwhile, the situation surrounding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains concerning, with the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, expressing concern about the safety situation at the plant following reports of a nearby drone strike that detonated an explosive near the facility’s protected area. The incident has sparked concerns about the potential for nuclear disaster, with Ukraine and Russia trading blame for the attack.
The situation remains volatile, with tensions running high along the Ukrainian-Belarusian border. Belarus has massed a significant number of troops along its border with Ukraine, in response to the deployment of over 120,000 Ukrainian troops to the frontier. Ukraine’s border force spokesman, Andrii Demchenko, has stated that his agency has not observed any signs of a Belarusian build-up, adding to the sense of unease in the region. Both sides are holding a delicate balance of power in the region, with the situation fragile and in a state of flux.
