Seven people were killed and dozens injured after two separate explosions caused the collapse of bridges in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions, both bordering Ukraine. Authorities are treating the incidents as acts of terrorism.
In Bryansk, a blast on the night of May 31 caused a road bridge to collapse onto a railway, derailing a passenger train bound for Moscow. The regional governor, Alexander Bogomaz, confirmed seven fatalities and at least 71 injuries, with 44 people hospitalized.
Hours later, in the Kursk region’s Zheleznogorsk district, a rail bridge collapsed as a freight train was passing, injuring the locomotive driver. Governor Alexander Khinshtein reported that part of the train fell onto the road beneath.
While no group has claimed responsibility, Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a criminal probe and labeled the incidents as terrorism. Senior Russian lawmaker Andrey Klishas blamed Ukraine, calling it a “terrorist enclave.” Ukrainian officials have yet to respond.
Videos circulating online show scenes of chaos and rescue efforts amid the wreckage. Passengers’ families gathered at Moscow’s Kievsky railway station to await survivors.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was kept updated throughout the night, according to the Kremlin.
Russia has faced numerous sabotage attacks since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, many targeting its rail infrastructure. Ukraine has accused Russia of using its railways to move troops and weapons.
The attacks come amid reports of a possible diplomatic meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul, part of a renewed international push for peace.
