World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Zelensky says Russian strikes aim to divide Ukraine along the Dnipro
Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia is trying to divide Ukraine by striking bridges across the Dnipro River and the power grid.
The river runs through Kyiv, where attacks have hit bridges that connect the city’s eastern and western sides.
Bridge closures have caused long traffic jams, and some commuters have faced journeys of two to three hours.
The strikes also threaten transport and the movement of equipment and ammunition, while damage to the power grid could worsen electricity and heating shortages in winter.
Kyiv says it plans 21 temporary bridges across Ukraine, eight in the capital, to help keep crossings open.
Two of the planned bridges have priority, and two are expected to be finished within a few months.
The temporary crossings are intended mainly for cars and would initially have one lane in each direction.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian strikes on bridges and the power grid aim to divide Ukraine along the Dnipro River.
He said the attacks also aim to make life as difficult as possible for people in Ukrainian cities and villages.
The strikes have damaged Kyiv’s bridges, causing closures and long traffic jams.
Ukraine plans to build 21 temporary bridges across the country, including eight in Kyiv.
A Ukrainian official said the strikes could disrupt transport and equipment shipments and reduce electricity transfers from west to east.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made the claim. Russian forces are carrying out the strikes.
- What
- Zelensky said strikes on bridges and the power grid aim to divide Ukraine along the Dnipro River.
- When
- He made the statement in an evening televised address, reported on November 10, 2026. The sources say bridge attacks intensified from October.
- Where
- Across the Dnipro River in Ukraine, including bridges in Kyiv.
- Why
- Zelensky said the attacks aim to divide Ukraine and make life difficult for people. A Ukrainian official said they could disrupt transport and electricity supplies.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Russian forces carried out several attacks with jet drones against Kyiv’s South and North bridges.
A Russian strike damaged the road surface of the South Bridge, leaving a large hole and several smaller ones.
The South Bridge reopened with restrictions, while repairs continued.
Kyiv’s central heating was switched on, but the source says it was not working reliably.
n-tv reported plans for 21 temporary bridges across Ukraine, including eight in Kyiv.
Meduza reported Zelensky’s statement that Russian strikes aim to divide Ukraine along the Dnipro.
- Temporary bridges planned
- 21 nationwide, including eight in Kyiv
- Daily traffic
- About 600,000 vehicles cross Kyiv’s bridges
- Dnipro width
- Up to 1.5 kilometers
- Kyiv population
- About 3 million
- Temporary bridge capacity
- Up to 100 tons
2 sources
What people are saying
trying to divide Ukraine along the Dnipro River
make life as difficult as possible for people, for our cities and villages