Zelenskyy vows more strikes on Russian oil facilities after Kyiv bridge attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to continue strikes on Russian oil refineries after Russian forces attacked two major bridges across the Dnipro River in Kyiv. Zelenskyy told Reuters that Ukrainian intelligence had identified what he called a new Russian strategy of attacking infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools and hospitals. He said the aim was to pressure residents to leave Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities before winter.

The Ukrainian leader said his country would respond by targeting facilities that provide Russia with money for the war, particularly oil refineries. He said Ukraine would not respond by attacking civilian objects. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Northern Bridge had been hit from the air on Saturday.

Two people were injured, while the road surface and trolleybus wires were damaged. Traffic from the left bank to the right bank was blocked. The Southern Bridge was also struck several times by Russian drones over two days, causing long lines of cars and buses.

Kyiv has eight bridges linking its western and eastern banks along the Dnipro. Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned foreign diplomats and nationals in Kyiv to leave, saying Russian forces would continue massive retaliatory strikes. Moscow has previously denied systematically targeting civilians.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu said five Russian air weapons, including missiles and drones, violated Moldovan airspace and exploded on Moldovan territory. She said the conflict was dangerously reaching Moldova. The Moldovan Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador and called on Moscow to prevent further incidents.

The attacks mark the first reported Russian strikes on Kyiv’s Dnipro bridges during the current escalation, while Ukraine continues to threaten infrastructure that supports Russia’s war effort.