Can Kyiv's Bridges Be Destroyed? Engineer Settles the Debate

Ukrainian veteran and self-described engineer-technician Oleg Derfler stated that Kyiv's bridges over the Dnieper River are designed to withstand even a tactical nuclear weapon, making their complete destruction a complex task for occupying forces. He argued that while a missile or drone could damage a span or support, fully destroying such a bridge is an entirely different challenge. Derfler noted that all eight bridges were built during the Cold War with their strength calculated for combat conditions, and that Ukrainian bridge builders have learned to restore them quickly. He cited the 2022 example of the Antonovsky Bridge in Kherson, which survived targeted HIMARS strikes and was only destroyed when Russian engineers mined its supports during their retreat. The expert suggested that Russians may not even need to destroy the bridges, as spreading panic among Ukrainians could serve as a weapon. Earlier reports indicated Russia attacked the Northern Bridge in Kyiv, creating a large hole in the road, and that reserve crossings could take up to three months to build, providing at least half the capacity of existing bridges.