At least seven people were killed and 69 injured when two bridges were blown up in separate Russian regions bordering Ukraine ahead of planned peace talks aimed at ending the three-year-old war, Russian officials said. The highway bridge over a railway in the Bryansk region was bombed at 10:50 pm on Saturday night just as a passenger train carrying 388 passengers to Moscow was passing underneath, Russian investigators stated. Four hours later, a freight train and a railway bridge over a highway were also destroyed in the neighboring Kursk region, showering the road with parts of the train.
According to the Russian Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, the two bridge blasts were interconnected and both attributed to a deliberate act. Social media showed images of passengers trying to climb out of shattered carriages in the dark, with parts of the train crushed under the collapsed road bridge. Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Bryansk region, confirmed the incident, stating that the bridge was bombed while the Klimovo-Moscow train passed through with 38,8 passengers on board.
Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed the link between the two incidents and stated both bridges were intentionally attacked. In response, Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence agency reported an explosion that derailed a Russian military train hauling cargo and fuel trucks near Yakymivka, though it did not attribute the incident to any specific group. The United States had planned for Russia and Ukraine to attend peace talks in Istanbul, with the U.S. demanding the sides negotiate. However, Ukraine has not committed to the talks, stating it requires Russia’s proposals first. The U.S. is also considering new sanctions on Moscow as a response.
Meanwhile, Russian politicians have accused Ukraine of attempting to sabotage peace efforts, with Andrei Kartapolov claiming the acts were aimed at toughening Russia’s position before negotiations. President Vladimir Putin was kept informed by the FSB and the Emergency Ministry regarding the bridge blasts throughout the night, and he had a conversation with the Bryansk governor, Alexander Bogomaz.
Despite the talk of peace negotiations, the war continues to intensify, with drones launched by both sides and Russian troops advancing at key points along the front in eastern Ukraine. As the tension escalates, the potential for further clashes remains high, especially as U.S. President Donald Trump has emphasized the need for a resolution, warning of withdrawing support if the talks do not succeed.