Russian bridges near Ukraine border targeted in deadly attacks before peace talks

At least seven people were killed and 69 injured in a series of devastating bridge explosions that occurred in separate Russian regions bordering Ukraine. The incidents took place just ahead of planned peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The first explosion occurred in the Bryansk region, where a highway bridge over a railway was blown up as a passenger train carrying 388 passengers to Moscow passed underneath. The second explosion occurred in the neighboring Kursk region, where a railway bridge over a highway was detonated, causing parts of a freight train to scatter onto the road below.

Russia’s Investigative Committee explicitly linked both incidents, confirming that both bridges were intentionally destroyed. Social media images and videos from the Bryansk region showed the chaos and destruction caused by the explosion, with passengers trapped in crushed carriages and debris strewn across the railway tracks.

The explosions occurred just a day before scheduled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, where the United States hoped to facilitate discussions to end the conflict. However, the bridge blasts raised concerns about potential sabotage aimed at disrupting the peace negotiations.

Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence agency reported an explosion that derailed a Russian military train near the Zaporizhzhia region, though they did not claim responsibility for the incident. Russian politicians quickly pointed fingers at Ukraine, accusing them of orchestrating the sabotage to undermine the peace talks.

President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the bridge explosions by security and emergency authorities throughout the night. Despite calls for peace negotiations, tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated, with both sides engaging in drone warfare and military advancements along the front lines.

As the international community watches closely, the outcome of the peace talks remains uncertain. While the war in Ukraine continues to intensify, efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution face significant challenges. The bridge explosions serve as a stark reminder of the complexities and risks involved in seeking peace in a conflict-ridden region.