Bridges of Terror: Explosions in Russia Claim Seven Lives and Leave Dozens Injured

The overnight failure of two bridges in Russian regions adjacent to Ukraine, resulting in seven fatalities, was attributed to explosions, according to Russian officials on Sunday, who labeled the incidents as «acts of terrorism.»

In the Bryansk region of Russia, which borders Ukraine, a blast caused a road bridge to collapse onto a railway track late Saturday. This resulted in the derailment of a passenger train en route to Moscow, leading to the death of seven individuals, as confirmed by authorities.

Hours later, in the neighboring Kursk region, another rail bridge was blown up in the early hours of Sunday, resulting in the derailment of a freight train and injuring its driver.

Authorities have not disclosed who may be responsible for the explosions, although a criminal investigation has been initiated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was updated on the situation throughout the night, according to the Kremlin.

Social media footage from the Bryansk area depicted rescuers navigating the wreckage of a train operated by Russian Railways, with distressing cries audible in another clip.

«There are seven deceased due to the bridge collapsing onto the railway tracks,» stated Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Bryansk region, in a Telegram message.

He reported that at least 71 individuals were injured, with 44 of them requiring hospitalization.

In the Kursk region incident, a rail bridge fell onto a roadway, causing a freight train to derail.

«Last night…in the Zheleznogorsk district, a bridge collapsed while a freight locomotive was passing over it, causing part of the train to fall onto the road below the bridge,» Kursk governor Alexander Khinshtein noted on Telegram.

«One of the locomotive drivers sustained leg injuries, and the entire crew was taken to a medical facility,» he added.

There was no immediate response from Russian investigators regarding the identity of those responsible for the explosions.

A representative of Russia’s Investigative Committee announced that the incidents had been categorized as «acts of terrorism,» without providing further details.

However, Andrey Klishas, a senior lawmaker from the ruling party, attributed the blame to Ukraine, labeling it as a «terrorist enclave.»

While Ukraine has been accused by Russia of previous incidents, there was no immediate response from Ukrainian officials.

Since the commencement of Moscow’s large-scale military campaign against Ukraine in 2022, Russia has experienced numerous acts of sabotage, many of which have targeted the extensive railway network.

Kyiv asserts that Russia utilizes railways to transport troops and military supplies to its forces engaged in Ukraine.

An AFP reporter observed relatives at a station in central Moscow waiting for loved ones arriving from the Bryansk region.

«Russian Railways stated that those who survived would be arriving here,» said Sergey Trinkinets, a 30-year-old entrepreneur.

«My father finally made contact. He mentioned he had some bruises and wasn’t feeling well, so I came to meet him,» he relayed to reporters.

In one social media video, allegedly filmed at the Bryansk incident site, someone could be heard screaming as bystanders rushed to assist.

«How could the bridge collapse? There are children involved!» a woman was heard shouting in the footage.

Russia’s emergency ministry confirmed that a response team was on-site in the Bryansk region, and Russian Railways indicated that repair crews had been dispatched to the location.

These incidents occurred just before a potential meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul, coinciding with a U.S.-led diplomatic effort aimed at resolving the three-year-long conflict.

Moscow’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine has led to tens of thousands of deaths, with Russia currently controlling around twenty percent of its neighbor’s territory.