Overnight explosions in western Russia resulted in the collapse of two bridges and the derailment of two trains, leading to multiple casualties and injuries. The incidents occurred in the Bryansk and Kursk regions, both of which border Ukraine. Russian officials reported that in the first incident, which took place in the Bryansk region, a passenger train was struck by a collapsing bridge, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including the train's driver. Dozens more were injured, prompting authorities to transport some victims to hospitals in Moscow for treatment.
Hours after the Bryansk disaster, a second bridge in the nearby Kursk region collapsed as a freight train was traveling over it. This incident caused the freight train to derail, tumbling onto the road below as the bridge crumbled. Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein confirmed that while a fire erupted from the crash, there were no reported casualties in this incident.
Russia’s Investigative Committee, which is responsible for serious criminal investigations, announced that explosions triggered the bridge collapses, though it did not provide specific details or motivations behind the blasts. The agency has opened an investigation into the events, labeling them as potential acts of terrorism. Emergency response teams were deployed to both sites to clear debris and assist those affected. Eyewitness accounts and video footage documented the destruction, showing mangled train carriages amidst the rubble of fallen concrete from the collapsed structures.
Additionally, inspectors evaluating railway infrastructure in the Bryansk region uncovered damage to railway tracks, although it remains unclear whether this was directly linked to the bridge collapses. In past incidents, some Russian officials have insinuated that such attacks on railway infrastructure could be the work of pro-Ukrainian saboteurs. However, concrete evidence or confirmations regarding these allegations are scarce and unverified.
In a related development, Ukraine's military intelligence agency, known by the abbreviation GUR, reported that a military freight train transporting supplies was destroyed on its way to Crimea. The agency did not take responsibility for the destruction nor connect it to the bridge collapses, but indicated that the damage affected key supply routes between Russia-occupied territories in Ukraine, specifically the Zaporizhzhia region and Crimea. The report suggested that Russia's military logistics in the area could be severely disrupted as a result.
Since the early weeks of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, Russian forces have been actively advancing into the Zaporizhzhia region, an area of strategic significance. Russia previously annexed Crimea in 2014, and tensions between the two nations continue to fuel incidents like the recent explosions and infrastructure damage.
As investigations proceed, the Russian authorities are under pressure to clarify the circumstances surrounding the bridge collapses and the associated fatalities. The events underscore the increasing tension and volatility in the region, reflecting the ongoing conflict and its impact on infrastructure and civilian safety.
