Russia used 40 kg warhead to strike bridge in Kyiv - ISW
Photo: ISW reported on a possible new Russian warhead (Getty Images)
Russian forces may use shaped charges on long-range drones to strike large fortified targets, such as the Southern Bridge in Kyiv, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
"Russian forces struck the Southern Bridge in Kyiv City as part of their campaign to destroy the Ukrainian economy and to make life difficult in the Ukrainian capital," ISW analysts said.
“Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces aim to disrupt traffic crossing the bridge and to use repeated strikes against the same area to cause compounding damage to the bridge,” the report said.
What they say about the new warhead
Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to the President of Ukraine on defense technologies, known as "Flash", said on September 30 that the Russian forces had used a 40-kilogram shaped-charge warhead on Geran-type jet drones. They were designed to destroy power poles and steel structures of bridges.
"A shaped charge focuses its explosive energy to enhance penetration of hardened steel and concrete targets, causing more extensive damage to bridges, armored vehicles, fortifications, pylons, and other reinforced structures," ISW explained.
However, the analysts stressed, "The type of drone warhead that Russian forces used to strike the bridge remains unclear at this time."
"Some Russian milbloggers suggested that Russian forces used a Geran-type drone with a shaped-charge warhead to strike the Southern Bridge in Kyiv City, while others claimed Russian forces used the new warhead to strike power lines," the think tank added.
"Such technological adaptations to the Geran strike drone could, however, allow Russian forces to repeatedly conduct precise strikes against structural vulnerabilities," ISW assessed.
Over time, this could seriously damage infrastructure such as the Southern Bridge, which the Russian forces have found difficult to significantly damage or destroy.
Overnight on October 2, Russia struck the Southern Bridge in Kyiv again.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene. No reports of destruction or casualties have been made so far.
As RBC-Ukraine reported, following the overnight attacks, the Southern Bridge and Paton Bridge in the capital were closed.
The Southern Bridge was closed to traffic in both directions, while traffic on the Paton Bridge was stopped from the right bank to the left bank.
