Two deadly bridge collapses in Russia’s western border regions have left several dead and dozens injured, raising new concerns about safety and security amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine.
At least seven people lost their lives and dozens more were injured after two separate bridge collapses occurred in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions, both of which border Ukraine, authorities reported Sunday.
The first incident took place late Saturday in Bryansk, where a road bridge collapsed onto a moving passenger train in the Vygonichi district, roughly 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The collapse resulted in the deaths of at least seven people, including the train’s engineer, and left more than 60 others injured, among them several children. The train, carrying nearly 400 passengers from Klimov to Moscow, derailed after being struck by debris. Rescue workers evacuated survivors to a nearby temporary shelter.
Local officials, including Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz, attributed the collapse to an explosion, with state media suggesting “illegal interference” as a possible cause. Additional damage was later discovered on another section of railway in the region, though no further casualties were reported.
A second incident occurred overnight in the Kursk region, where a bridge gave way as a freight train was crossing. The collapse caused part of the train to fall onto a highway below, injuring one of the drivers and igniting a fire that emergency crews quickly worked to contain.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was kept informed of both incidents throughout the night, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The events come amid heightened tensions and ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides trading accusations of sabotage and attacks in border areas.
Russian authorities initially described the bridge collapses as acts of terrorism linked to explosions, but later statements focused on ongoing investigations to determine the exact causes.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials dismissed claims of responsibility and accused Moscow of attempting to frame Kyiv as a “terrorist state” to undermine ongoing peace negotiations. Despite the turmoil, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that a delegation would attend the next round of peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, reiterating Ukraine’s demands for a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and the return of abducted children.
The incidents highlight the growing risks faced by civilians and infrastructure in regions near the Russia-Ukraine border as the conflict continues.