At least seven people have died and dozens more were injured following the collapse of two bridges in Russian territories near Ukraine. Authorities are investigating the incidents as potential acts of terrorism, while contrasting narratives emerge regarding the motives behind the collapses, including allegations of 'false flag' operations by Russia to influence international peace talks.
Catastrophic Bridge Collapses in Russia: Casualties and Controversy Emerge
Catastrophic Bridge Collapses in Russia: Casualties and Controversy Emerge
The tragic collapses of two bridges in Russia raise suspicions of terrorism and geopolitical manipulation amidst ongoing tensions with Ukraine.
Two separate bridge collapses overnight in Russian regions near the Ukrainian border have resulted in at least seven fatalities and considerable injuries. State media report that the collapses are being treated as potential "acts of terrorism." In the first incident, a road bridge in Bryansk collapsed, causing several heavy trucks to collide with a moving passenger train late on Saturday evening, according to regional governor Alexander Bogomaz. The aftermath saw at least seven confirmed dead, while 71 individuals sustained injuries.
Moscow's Interregional Transport Prosecutor's Office released an image reportedly depicting the carnage from the Bryansk collapse, although it remains unverified by the BBC. Shortly thereafter, another bridge failure occurred in Zheleznogorsk, Kursk, derailing a locomotive, per acting governor Alexander Khinshtein. The train subsequently caught fire, and one driver reportedly suffered leg injuries. Khinshtein assured the public via Telegram that the cause of this disaster would be thoroughly investigated, with all emergency services currently deployed at the scene to manage the crisis.
Moscow Railway attributed the Bryansk bridge failure to "illegal interference," while a Ukrainian national security official offered a contrasting perspective, suggesting the incidents may be 'false flag' operations orchestrated by Russia. Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council's Centre for Countering Disinformation, contended that Russia aims to manipulate international opinion ahead of peace discussions scheduled in Turkey for Monday, asserting that Ukraine had "absolutely no incentive to sabotage the Istanbul summit."
In response to emerging chaos, Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed multiple times throughout the night regarding the incidents. Images circulating on social media capture twisted metal and chaotic efforts by passengers to escape the wreckage in the darkness. Investigations are now underway by the interregional transport prosecutor's office, and additional emergency services have been dispatched to the impacted locations.
Reports reveal that the train was traveling from Klimovo to Moscow during the incident, which occurred around 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Passengers were safely evacuated and transported to a nearby station, where they can continue their journey on reserve trains set up in response to the calamity.
As this unfolds, the Ukrainian Air Force has reported extensive Russian strikes across seven regions, involving 472 drone attacks and seven missile strikes overnight prior to the bridge incidents, exacerbating the already heightened tensions between the neighboring countries.
