Key facts
- Russia struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge overnight Saturday, damaging the road and trolleybus cables.
- Russia's defense ministry confirmed the attack, stating the bridge was used for military cargo.
- The Hostomel logistics hub and a cargo ship near Odessa were also targeted.
- The IAEA reported four recent strikes threatening safety at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
- Ukraine faces a $27 billion defense funding gap this year.
Russia intensified its aerial campaign against Ukraine by striking a key bridge in Kyiv and a logistics hub overnight Saturday. The Northern Bridge, which connects the left and right banks of the Dnipro River, sustained damage to its road and trolleybus cables, leading to suspended traffic. Around 500,000 people commute daily between the two sides of the river, which are linked by eight bridges in total.
Russia's defense ministry confirmed the attack on the bridge, claiming it was being used to transport military cargo. The ministry also stated that Russia had struck the Hostomel logistics hub and a cargo ship near Odessa.
These attacks come as Moscow has increased its bombing of Ukraine's civilian and critical infrastructure in recent weeks, targeting residential areas, energy facilities, and other key sites. In the past week alone, Russia reportedly launched over 190 missiles and drones, primarily aimed at energy infrastructure.
Separately, the UN-linked International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that four strikes in recent days had compromised safety and security at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, including the disabling of an off-site radiation monitoring station.
Ukraine is currently facing significant challenges, including a substantial financial deficit and a shortage of critical weapons. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his troops to disregard the rules of war. Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi indicated that the country faces a $27 billion defense funding gap this year, with plans to cover $7 billion domestically and seek the remainder from international partners.