Explosion damages key Russian railway bridge

A railway bridge in Russia’s Samara region was damaged by a blast Monday, causing rail traffic delays.

Railways operators said “illegal interference by unauthorized persons” damaged the pillar of a bridge over the Chapaevka River, in southwest Russia, according to Russian news agencies.

TASS reported that the “detonation of an explosive device” caused the damage, citing operational services.

Ukrainian intelligence confirmed the explosion and said the bridge was used to carry military equipment.

“On March 4, 2024, at about 6:00 a.m., the bridge was damaged by blowing up its power structures,” the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said in a statement, though it did not specifically claim responsibility for the attack. “The railway line was used by the aggressor state to transport military cargo, including engineering ammunition,” from a plant in a nearby city.

“Given the nature of the damage to the railway bridge, its use for a long time will be impossible,” Kyiv added.

“Rail traffic on this section is suspended. As a result of the incident, delays of passenger and suburban trains are expected,” Russian railway operators said, adding that there were no casualties.