Ukraine's 58th Motorized Infantry Brigade revealed to CNN that they destroyed two strategically important bridges used to supply Russian troops on the front lines. The bridges were located within Russian territory, near the border of Kharkiv Oblast.
A representative of the 58th Brigade stated, "We detected unusual activity around the bridges and used fiber optic drones for reconnaissance". Drone footage revealed Russian troops had placed anti-tank mines at the base of the bridges, seemingly prepared for detonation in case of a Ukrainian counteroffensive.
The brigade representative added that they "seized the opportunity immediately". Ukrainian suicide drones targeted the mines, triggering explosions that destroyed the bridges.
A second bridge, similarly mined, was also destroyed using the same tactic. Russia has not commented on the destruction of the bridges.
According to the Ukrainian military, each attack drone costs between 25,000 and 30,000 hryvnia (600-725 USD), making the operation highly cost-effective. Typically, destroying bridges requires expensive missiles or guided weapons.
Ukraine previously used Western-supplied HIMARS rocket systems to destroy a bridge in the Kursk region of Russia. Each HIMARS launcher costs tens of millions of USD, while each missile costs tens of thousands of USD.
 |
Location of Kharkiv Oblast. Graphics: RYV |
These bridge demolitions represent a rare positive development for Ukrainian forces. Russian units continue to advance on multiple fronts, while maintaining large-scale air strikes across Ukraine.
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stated on 29/8 that Russia has increased its advance in Ukraine, controlling 600-700 square km per month, a significant improvement from the 300-400 square km captured earlier this year.
Belousov stated Russia has inflicted heavy damage on Ukraine's military and defense industry infrastructure, conducting 35 large-scale attacks since the beginning of the year, targeting 146 key targets, resulting in damage to 62% of Ukraine's key defense industry facilities.
Thanh Danh (CNN, Reuters)
