By KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces have targeted three bridges over the River Seym in Russia’s Kursk region within four days, according to reports from both Ukrainian and Russian sources. The attacks appear to be part of Ukraine’s ongoing military operations inside Russian territory, which began on August 6.
The bridges, located near Glushkovo, Zvannoe, and Karyzh, are approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Their destruction could potentially disrupt Russian supply lines and military movements in the area.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that the objective of these operations is to create a “buffer zone” between Ukraine and Russia. “It is now our primary task in defensive operations overall: to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions,” Zelenskyy said.
According to Ukrainian military sources, their forces have advanced up to 35 kilometers (21 miles) inside Russian territory since the operation began, reportedly capturing 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of land, including dozens of towns.
Russian military bloggers reported that engineers have constructed a pontoon bridge east of Glushkovo to maintain supply lines to their forces. However, this temporary solution may create logistical challenges, as such structures typically allow only limited traffic.
The Ukrainian military has not officially confirmed the exact nature or extent of its operations inside Russia. Similarly, the Russian Ministry of Defense has not issued detailed statements about the situation in the Kursk region.
These developments come as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, continues to escalate. The international community, including the United Nations and various world leaders, has called for diplomatic solutions to end the hostilities.
As the situation remains fluid, military analysts suggest that the destruction of these bridges could have significant implications for both Ukrainian and Russian military strategies in the region. However, the full impact of these operations remains to be seen as events continue to unfold.
