Ukraine destroys key bridges in Russia’s Kursk region

Ukraine has taken down a crucial bridge in Russia’s Kursk region and hit a second one nearby, disrupting Russian supply routes and hinting at possible plans to establish a foothold. Pro-Kremlin military bloggers admitted that the destruction of the Seim River bridge near Glushkovo will hinder supplies to Russian forces countering Ukraine’s incursion. However, Moscow could still use pontoons and smaller bridges. On Friday, Lt. Mykola Oleshchuk, Ukraine’s air force chief, released a video of the airstrike that split the bridge in two. Less than two days later, Ukrainian troops targeted a second bridge, according to Oleshchuk and Russian regional governor Alexei Smirnov. By Sunday morning, no official reports confirmed the exact location of the second attack, but Russian Telegram channels suggested it was a second Seim bridge in Zvannoe. If verified, these strikes would complicate Moscow’s efforts to resupply its forces in Kursk and evacuate civilians. Glushkovo is about 12 kilometres from the Ukrainian border and 16 kilometres northwest of the main battle zone in Kursk, while Zvannoe is 8 kilometres northeast.

Ukraine have released a video of the destruction of the next bridge over the river Seim in the Kursk region. That’s two down, one more to go! 😁 Slava Ukraini! pic.twitter.com/1640mKvH1Z

— DAILY FELLA (@DailyFellaNews) August 18, 2024

Kyiv remains discreet about the scope and goals of its rapid advance into Russia, the largest attack on the country since World War II, which took the Kremlin by surprise, capturing numerous villages and prisoners. Ukrainian forces advanced deep into Kursk with minimal resistance, creating chaos. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s Commander in Chief, claimed last week that his forces had advanced 1,000 square kilometres in the Kursk region, although this could not be independently verified. The bridge strikes, likely aimed at thwarting a Russian counterattack in Kursk, may indicate Kyiv’s intent to hold ground or at least signal such plans to Moscow. Analysts caution that while Ukraine might try to consolidate its gains, it would be risky given Kyiv’s limited resources, as supply lines deep into Kursk could be vulnerable to Russian strikes. The incursion has boosted Ukraine’s morale, particularly after a failed counteroffensive last summer and months of Russian gains in the Donbas region. It echoes Ukraine’s September 2022 operation, led by Syrskyi, which reclaimed the Kharkiv region from Russian control.

On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Kyiv’s allies to lift restrictions on using Western weapons to strike deeper into Russia, including Kursk. Zelenskyy argued that with sufficient long-range capabilities, Ukrainian troops could deprive Moscow of its ability to advance and cause destruction. Russia’s Foreign Ministry and pro-Kremlin bloggers claimed that U.S.-made HIMARS launchers were used to destroy bridges on the Seim, though these claims could not be independently verified. Ukrainian leaders have sought authorization for long-range strikes on Russian air bases and other infrastructure, including Soviet-era glide bombs targeting Ukraine’s energy facilities and industrial regions. Moscow has also increased attacks on Kyiv, targeting it with ballistic missiles for the third time this month on Sunday. Serhii Popko, head of Kyiv’s municipal military administration, stated on Telegram that Ukrainian air defenses intercepted all targets in both attacks.

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog reported a worsening safety situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant following a nearby drone strike. Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, called for maximum restraint after an IAEA team reported an explosive drone detonating just outside the plant’s protected area. The impact site was close to essential water sprinkle ponds and about 100 metres from the only power line supplying the plant. The IAEA team noted intense military activity around the plant in the past week. Kyiv and Moscow have blamed each other for attacks near the facility since its capture, including a fire last weekend. Grossi’s statement mentioned that the blaze caused significant damage but posed no immediate nuclear safety threat. Ukraine has alleged that Russia plans to stage an attack and blame Ukrainian forces, with Zelenskyy warning last summer of possible explosives on the plant’s roof to blackmail Ukraine.