Two Bridges Collapse Near Russia-Ukraine Border Leaving Several Dead

Two bridges collapsed overnight in separate incidents in Russian regions bordering Ukraine, killing at least seven people and injuring more than 70 others, Russian officials said to BBC. Authorities have launched investigations into both incidents, which state media are now describing as possible "acts of terrorism."

The first collapse occurred late Saturday in the Bryansk region, where a road bridge gave way, sending several heavy trucks crashing onto a moving passenger train below, according to regional governor Alexander Bogomaz. He confirmed at least seven fatalities and 71 injuries.

Hours later, a second bridge collapsed in the Zheleznogorsk district of the Kursk region, the BBC reported. The incident caused a freight locomotive to derail and catch fire. The train’s driver sustained leg injuries, said acting governor Alexander Khinshtein.

Khinshtein posted on Telegram that emergency services are working at the scene and that the cause of the collapse is under investigation. "I am keeping the situation under control," he wrote.

Moscow Railway also weighed in via Telegram, claiming that the Bryansk bridge collapse was the result of “illegal interference.”

The incidents come just days before peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are set to take place in Istanbul. A senior Ukrainian official has dismissed any suggestion of Ukrainian involvement, instead accusing Moscow of orchestrating “false flag” operations to undermine the negotiations.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council's Centre for Countering Disinformation, said Russia was “laying the groundwork to derail the Istanbul summit” and insisted Ukraine had “absolutely no incentive” to sabotage the talks.

According to the BBC, the Kremlin confirmed that President Vladimir Putin was kept informed of the developments throughout the night.