**Bridge Collapses in Russia, Leaving 7 Dead and Dozens Injured**
Two bridges collapsed in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk oblasts overnight on June 1, causing chaos and destruction. At least seven people were killed and dozens more injured in the incidents, which have raised questions over infrastructure failures or sabotage.
**The Collapses**
In Bryansk Oblast, a highway bridge allegedly collapsed onto a moving passenger train near the settlement of Vygonichi. The train was operating on the Moscow-Klimovo line when the bridge gave way, causing damage to both vehicles and the train. Regional sources reported that a freight truck was crossing the bridge at the time of the collapse.
The Russian Investigative Committee later stated that the bridge had been blown up at 22:50 local time. However, this claim has since been removed from their reports.
**Investigations Launched**
The Investigative Committee launched investigations into both incidents on terrorism-related charges. However, they soon deleted their statements after publication.
**Previous Russian Infrastructure Collapses**
Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communication has listed prior incidents of Russian bridge failures, pointing to chronic infrastructure decay and mismanagement. These include:
* April 2024: A Paninsky overpass collapse in Smolensk Oblast killed one and injured five.
* October 2023: A railway bridge over the Dzhida River collapsed in Buryatia due to rainfall and neglect.
* July 2022: A bridge on the Chita-Khabarovsk highway fell in Zabaykalsky Krai due to erosion and neglect.
* November 2020: A bridge collapsed under a truck near Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai.
* July 2018: A pedestrian bridge collapsed during a festival in Nizhny Novgorod.
* May 2015: A logging truck caused a collapse near Kansk, Krasnoyarsk Krai.
**Corruption and Decay Cited as Problems**
Stratcom concluded that “corruption and decay are Russia’s problems, not Ukraine.” This statement highlights the chronic issues with infrastructure management in Russia, which have led to numerous collapses and casualties over the years.
Read More @ euromaidanpress.com
