Ukrainian officer warns Russia could target Kyiv bridges: “We must be prepared”

Russia could try to strike Kyiv’s bridges and cut the capital’s left bank off from its right bank, according to Denis Yaroslavskyi, an officer in Ukraine’s assault forces. He urged authorities to prepare before such a scenario unfolds.

Speaking in an interview with the News Factory YouTube channel, Yaroslavskyi said Russia might seek to paralyze essential infrastructure as part of a campaign designed to exhaust the city. “The enemy is potentially capable of isolating the left bank from the right bank if we are talking about the capital. There are only 12 bridges in Ukraine. If they have such an idea, they can attack all the bridges,” he said.

Yaroslavskyi said officials should develop alternative arrangements in case transport infrastructure suffers severe damage. He also called for residents to receive information in advance about what authorities would do, rather than hearing only calls to evacuate.

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The enemy is potentially capable of isolating the left bank from the right bank if we are talking about the capital. There are only 12 bridges in Ukraine. If they have such an idea, they can attack all the bridges.

“I am not trying to intimidate anyone. I am only talking about reality, so that we are prepared and do not panic. The question is different: what do we do when it happens? The authorities should say: we have Plan B, Plan C and Plan D,” he said.

The officer also pointed to the difficulty of rebuilding damaged infrastructure, noting that repairs on Kyiv’s Southern Bridge have already lasted about five years. Ukrainian authorities have warned that Russia could focus attacks on thermal power facilities, water systems, heating networks and gas infrastructure. The State Agency for Reconstruction said strikes on pumping stations and other water-system facilities could trigger cascading effects, leaving some cities without water while also disrupting heating supplies.

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I am not trying to intimidate anyone. I am only talking about reality, so that we are prepared and do not panic. The question is different: what do we do when it happens? The authorities should say: we have Plan B, Plan C and Plan D.