Kyiv to Build Pontoon Crossings Across Dnipro After Bridge Attacks

Ukraine will begin building earthen dams with pontoon crossings across the Dnipro River in Kyiv starting next week, as announced by Minister of Restoration Mykola Kalashnik. The temporary structures aim to maintain connectivity amid ongoing threats to existing bridges. The crossings, expected to take up to three months to construct, will provide at least half the capacity of current Kyiv bridges, which handle about 600,000 vehicles daily. Similar alternative routes are planned for other regions, with long-term options including a tunnel under the river. Minister Kalashnik emphasized that protecting existing bridges remains the top priority, with air defense systems deployed. The projects require billions of hryvnias in funding, necessitating international donor support. The announcement follows recent drone attacks on the Pivdennyi Bridge on October 1-3.