Ukrainian Air Forces Destroy Strategic Bridge in Kursk Region

Ukrainian air forces disabled a key bridge in Russia's Kursk region, disrupting enemy logistics. Kyiv claims to have seized significant territory since launching an offensive on Aug. 6. There has been no immediate response from Moscow, but online Russian military bloggers confirmed the attack's impact.

Ukrainian air forces destroyed a strategic bridge over the Seym River in Russia's Kursk region, significantly limiting the supply capacity of a Russian group opposing the Ukrainian advance, according to Ukraine's commander on Sunday.

Kyiv announced it had captured over 80 settlements spanning more than 1,150 square km (444 square miles) in Kursk since initiating a surprise border strike on Aug. 6, marking the largest invasion of Russia since World War Two. "Kursk direction. Minus one more bridge! Ukrainian Air Force aviation continues to undermine the enemy's logistical capabilities with precision airstrikes, which greatly influences the course of hostilities," Mykola Oleshchuk said via Telegram.

Oleshchuk shared a video showing an explosion's aftermath on the bridge, with one section severely damaged. Reuters could not independently verify the video's timing or the bridge's destruction. However, they confirmed the bridge's location in Zvannoye village, Kursk region. There was no immediate response from Moscow, but Russian military bloggers, including the War Gonzo project and Rybar, acknowledged the attack and reported significant, though not complete, damage to the bridge.

The bridge is the second targeted by Ukraine since Friday. Military analysts noted three critical bridges in the region, with two already destroyed or badly damaged, hindering Russian supply lines. Pro-Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyaka reported relative calm on the Kursk battlefield, anticipating further Ukrainian attempts to seize another strategic bridge over the Psyol River soon. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked Ukrainian forces for their efforts and urged allies to expedite military aid deliveries, emphasizing ongoing impacts on Russian military and economic capabilities.

Russia has labeled the Ukrainian incursion as a major provocation and vowed a fitting response, over two and a half years into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies.)