On Sunday, Russian officials reported that two distinct bridge explosions occurred in the Bryansk and Kursk regions, which are adjacent to Ukraine. These incidents resulted in the deaths of at least seven individuals and left 69 others injured, representing a notable escalation in tensions just prior to the anticipated peace talks in Turkey. This serves as a follow-up to previous reports that indicated a singular bridge collapse in Bryansk.
The Investigative Committee of Russia has confirmed that both explosions were intentional, establishing a connection between them. Late Saturday at 10:50 pm local time (1950 GMT), a highway bridge over a railway in Bryansk collapsed while a passenger train transporting 388 individuals to Moscow passed underneath.
Four hours later, in the neighboring city of Kursk, a railway bridge spanning a highway was detonated, sending debris from a goods train raining down onto the road beneath.
Authorities are investigating potential sabotage, though no group has come forward to claim responsibility for the incident.
In the absence of an official statement from Ukraine concerning the incidents, Russian lawmakers have swiftly attributed the attacks to Ukrainian special services.
Andrei Kartapolov, chair of the defense committee in Russia’s lower house of parliament, stated, “This is definitely the work of the Ukrainian special services.” “This strategy is designed to strengthen the Russian Federation’s stance and escalate tensions ahead of the negotiations. Additionally, there is an element of intimidation involved. However, their efforts are unlikely to bear fruit.
On Sunday, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency HUR reported an explosion that resulted in the derailment of a Russian military train carrying fuel and equipment in Yakymivka, a region of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia currently under Russian occupation.
Explosions occurred merely a day prior to the anticipated commencement of direct peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, as expected by the United States. US President Donald Trump has called on both parties to pursue a resolution, warning that he may withdraw support if negotiations do not succeed. Russia has indicated a willingness to engage in discussions, yet Ukraine has yet to affirm its involvement, stating it is waiting for specific proposals to be presented.
