Ukrainian Forces Target Strategic Bridges in Kursk Region

Ukrainian strikes have damaged a third bridge over the Seym river in Russia's Kursk region, intensifying the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow's forces. The attacks, using likely U.S.-made HIMARS, have disrupted vital supply routes for Russian troops. Analysts warn of further strategic targeting of bridges by Ukrainian forces.

A Russian investigator reported on Monday that Ukraine had struck and damaged a third bridge over the Seym river in the Kursk region on Sunday. Moscow's troops have been clashing with Kyiv's forces in the area for nearly two weeks.

“On August 18, as a result of targeted shelling using rocket and artillery weapons against residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in the Karyzh village, a third bridge over the Seym river was damaged,” said a representative for Russia's Investigative Committee in a video statement posted on Russian state TV anchor Vladimir Solovyov's Telegram channel.

Since August 6, Russian forces have been fighting Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, a significant setback for the Russian military, after thousands of Kyiv's troops breached the western border. The Russian foreign ministry indicated on Friday that Ukraine had employed Western rockets, possibly U.S-made HIMARS, to demolish a bridge over the Seym river in the Glushkovo district.

In another video on Solovyov's Telegram channel on Sunday, a representative for Russian investigators noted that a second bridge over the Seym near the village of Zvannoe, used for civilian evacuation, had been “damaged” by U.S.-made HIMARS. Ukraine’s air force commander confirmed on Sunday that their air force had destroyed the second bridge, impairing the supply lines of a Russian group opposing the Ukrainian advance.

Military analysts have identified three bridges in the offensive area through which Russia maintains its supply. Yuri Podolyaka, a prominent pro-Russian military blogger of Ukrainian descent, mentioned on Sunday that Ukraine might attempt to capture another strategic bridge over the Psyol River in the upcoming days.