2 bridges collapse overnight in Russian border regions, leaving 7 dead, dozens injured

Two bridges collapsed in separate overnight incidents in Russia’s western border regions near Ukraine, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens more, officials confirmed on Sunday.

The first and deadliest incident occurred late Saturday in the Bryansk region when a road bridge suddenly gave way, sending multiple heavy trucks crashing onto a passenger train traveling underneath.

Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz reported that at least seven people were killed at the scene. Forty-seven others, including a child, were hospitalized with varying degrees of injury.

Footage shared on Russian social media platforms showed mangled debris and rescue teams working under floodlights to extract passengers from the train’s wreckage.

Emergency services deployed dozens of personnel to the site, while helicopters were reportedly used to transport the critically injured.

“The collapse appears to have taken place as the train was passing beneath the bridge, resulting in significant casualties,” Bogomaz wrote in a statement on Telegram.

Russian state railway operator Moscow Railway alleged that the bridge collapse was not accidental. In a brief message on Telegram, the company attributed the incident to “illegal interference,” without elaborating.

Authorities have yet to publicly announce whether sabotage is being considered a formal line of investigation, but security agencies are reportedly involved.

Just hours later, a second bridge collapse took place in the Zheleznogorsk district of Kursk region, also bordering Ukraine. According to acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein, the collapse led to the derailment of a locomotive freight train, which subsequently caught fire.

“The driver sustained injuries to his legs and was taken to the hospital. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported at this second site,” Khinshtein said in a morning briefing.

Video from the scene showed thick black smoke billowing from the derailed train. Emergency services managed to contain the blaze before it could spread to surrounding areas.

Khinshtein, who only recently assumed office in an acting capacity, did not speculate on the cause of the collapse but said a thorough investigation was underway.

The incidents come amid heightened security and infrastructure concerns in Russia’s western regions, which have experienced sporadic attacks and sabotage since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Both Bryansk and Kursk regions have seen previous drone strikes, power outages, and border skirmishes over the past year.

While no group has claimed responsibility, the near-simultaneous timing of the two collapses has fueled speculation about coordinated sabotage.

Rail and road infrastructure in these areas is considered strategically significant, used for both civilian and military transport. In recent months, Russian authorities have increased surveillance and security patrols along key transit routes.

The Investigative Committee of Russia said it has launched formal probes into both incidents. Federal transportation and defense officials are reportedly en route to the affected regions.

President Vladimir Putin has not yet made a public statement, but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the president was being kept “regularly updated” and had ordered full support for the rescue and recovery operations.

Meanwhile, regional governors have declared periods of mourning for the victims and pledged government assistance to affected families.

Transportation disruptions are expected to continue into next week, with long-distance passenger and freight services being rerouted around the damaged areas.

As of Sunday afternoon, search and recovery operations at both collapse sites were still ongoing. Authorities have urged residents to avoid speculation and await official findings.