Disaster Strikes Russian Borders: Two Bridges Collapse, Trains Derail, Casualties Reported
Structures Crumble: Collapses Occur in Russia's Frontier Regions, Kursk and Bryansk
Get the latest update as two key bridges in the Russian regions of Bryansk and Kursk suddenly collapse, causing a major traffic disruption and severe casualties.
In an unexpected turn of events, two bridges — one a highway bridge in Bryansk and the other a railway bridge in Kursk — collapsed overnight, leading to the derailment of two trains and significant damage.
In the town of Shelesnogorsk, Kursk, a freight train reportedly derailed after a railway bridge fell onto its tracks as the train was passing over. According to the Governor of Kursk, Alexander Chinshtein, the locomotive and part of the train fell onto a road below, causing a fire. Although the Governor didn't specify the number of individuals aboard the train, he mentioned that the locomotive drivers were injured and transported to the hospital.
Just a few hours prior, the authorities of the Bryansk border region reported another bridge collapse, this time onto railway tracks, leading to the derailment of an approaching passenger train. Governor Alexander Bogomaz reported that at least seven people were killed and 69 others were injured, including three children.
Sabotage Suspected
Russian investigators are now piecing together the puzzling incidents, suspicion falling on sabotage. Citing explosive devices being possibly planted on the bridges, the investigative committee suggests these collapses were not due to any natural disaster or structural failure.
In the Bryansk incident, the passenger train with 388 passengers onboard passed near the spot where the bridge was blown up. The collision took place at approximately 21:44 CET between Stations Pilshino and Vygonichi.
Ukrainian military authorities, while not directly taking responsibility for the explosions, have hinted at efforts to disrupt Russian military logistics. Given the strategic importance of the railway connection as a key logistical transport artery for the Russian army in the occupied territories of Ukraine, this could be a motive.
Since the initiation of the Russian offensive upon Ukraine in February 2022, reports of railway acts of sabotage have been recurrent. Russia has regularly accused Ukraine of such actions, with Ukraine justifying them by citing the transportation of troops and weapons for the fight in Ukraine.
Potential Connection to a New Russian Offensive?
Located in the southwest of Russia and bordering Ukraine, Kursk and Bryansk are suspects to play a role in a possible new Russian offensive on the Ukrainian region of Sumy. With approximately 50,000 soldiers reportedly amassed in the border regions for an offensive on Sumy, a buffer zone is being considered by the Russian authorities to protect Kursk and Bryansk from any impending Ukrainian attacks.
This could be a ominous sign of further escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge.
[1] https://www.ntv.de/politik/zweitausendzweissig-tote-in-russland-massenumbraeumer-aber-kein-federrussischer-attentaat-1001110496.html[2] https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/31/world/kursk-russia-bridge-collapse-intl/index.html
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft budget in light of the recent bridge collapses and train derailments in the Russian regions of Bryansk and Kursk, which have been suspect to sabotage.
- As war-and-conflicts continue to unfold on the Russian-Ukrainian border, the latest news involves two bridges collapsing, causing car-accidents, casualties, and political tension, raising concerns about crime-and-justice and general-news.
- State investigators have suggested that the bridge collapses in Bryansk and Kursk might be connected to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Ukrainian military authorities hinting at disrupting Russian military logistics, thus raising questions about politics and the potential for new war-and-conflicts.
