KYIV — Russia has intensified its aerial campaign against Ukraine, striking critical infrastructure in Kyiv and disrupting transportation across the Dnipro River as Ukrainian officials warn that Moscow is preparing for a sustained campaign against the country’s energy system ahead of winter.
The latest attacks damaged Kyiv’s Southern Bridge, a major road and rail connection between the capital’s eastern and western districts. The strikes caused widespread traffic disruption and came amid a broader wave of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy, transportation and civilian infrastructure.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the situation had become increasingly serious, describing the attacks as “tearing Kyiv apart.”
Key Kyiv bridges disrupted
The Southern Bridge was hit repeatedly during Russian attacks on Thursday and Friday. Authorities subsequently closed it to traffic in both directions.
The nearby Paton Bridge was also restricted, while movement across the Metro Bridge was partially affected. The closures produced major traffic jams as commuters attempted to cross the Dnipro using the remaining routes.
The disruption has particular significance for Kyiv because large numbers of residents travel between the city’s eastern and western banks every day.
Reuters reported that the attacks temporarily halted vehicle and metro movement across some crossings before authorities restored crossings around midday. One civilian was killed and several people were injured in the wider attacks, while a residential building in southeastern Kyiv was damaged.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said the bridge was used to transport Ukrainian troops and military cargo toward the Donbas region. Ukrainian authorities have emphasized the effect on the capital’s civilian infrastructure and population.
A growing winter threat
The bridge attacks are part of a larger Russian aerial campaign that Ukrainian authorities say is increasingly focused on infrastructure.
According to Al Jazeera, Russian attacks during the past week have hit energy facilities as well as residential buildings, schools, kindergartens and offices. A Russian drone strike on a thermal power plant in the Kyiv region on September 30 contributed to power outages, while Ukrainian officials say Russia has repeatedly targeted energy infrastructure since the summer.
The timing has increased concern in Kyiv because winter is approaching.
Ukraine relies heavily on its electricity and heating networks during the colder months, making energy facilities strategically important. Ukrainian officials have warned that repeated attacks could produce shortages and further pressure an already heavily damaged infrastructure system.
Al Jazeera reported that Russia has also tested drones equipped with technology intended to attack high-voltage infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine has additionally reported Russian efforts to improve drone navigation and penetration deep into Ukrainian territory.
New Russian drones challenge Ukrainian defenses
One of Ukraine’s growing concerns is the development of faster, jet-powered attack drones.
Ukraine had previously reported interception rates of more than 90 percent against many propeller-powered long-range drones. But according to figures cited by Al Jazeera, Ukrainian forces intercepted 81 percent of 1,933 Russian long-range drones launched during the week ending October 1.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the interception rate for jet-powered versions had fallen to approximately 55 percent. Those figures come from Ukrainian authorities and have not been independently verified.
Zelenskyy has called for additional sanctions targeting components used in Russian drone production and has repeatedly appealed to Western countries for additional air-defense equipment.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv needs at least 300 Patriot interceptor missiles to strengthen its defenses ahead of winter, according to Reuters.
Russia reports heavy losses
The escalation in aerial attacks comes as the ground war continues to produce heavy casualties.
Al Jazeera reported that the Ukrainian military estimates Russia suffered 46,230 killed or wounded in September, which Kyiv described as its highest monthly casualty figure of 2026.
However, casualty figures released by the opposing sides are difficult to independently verify. Al Jazeera explicitly noted that it could not independently confirm the figures.
Ukraine has also claimed battlefield gains around Lyman in the Donetsk region.
Ukrainian forces say their counteroffensive, known as Operation Vivaldi, has recovered approximately 176 square kilometres in recent weeks. Russia has rejected those claims. Independent battlefield assessments do not necessarily reflect the territorial gains claimed by either side.
The fighting therefore remains fluid, with Russia continuing offensive operations in eastern Ukraine while Ukraine attempts to regain territory in selected areas.
Ukraine strikes Russian energy and military targets
Kyiv is also continuing its campaign against infrastructure inside Russia.
Ukrainian drones have targeted Russian oil refineries and other facilities that Kyiv says contribute to Russia’s military supply chain.
Reuters reported that Ukrainian attacks have struck Russian refineries, while Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the attacks had affected Russia’s economy and claimed they had cost approximately 1 percent of GDP.
Ukraine has also targeted defense-related factories and facilities involved in producing components for Russian missiles and air-defense systems, according to Al Jazeera.
The reciprocal infrastructure campaign means the conflict is increasingly extending beyond conventional frontline combat.
South Korea demands explanation from Ukraine
The Ukraine war has also produced a separate diplomatic dispute involving South Korea.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has demanded an apology from Kyiv over Ukraine’s disclosure of information concerning two North Korean prisoners of war who had been fighting for Russia.
Zelenskyy publicly discussed the transfer of the two prisoners to South Korea during a United Nations General Assembly speech. Seoul subsequently accused Kyiv of violating a confidentiality understanding intended to protect the prisoners.
Ukraine disputes that interpretation.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha characterized the disagreement as a “diplomatic misunderstanding,” while South Korea has warned that further measures could follow if Kyiv does not acknowledge Seoul’s concerns.
The disagreement comes as South Korea continues to play a role in the wider international response to North Korean involvement in Russia’s war effort.
