Kyiv could split into two parts due to strikes on bridges — MP

As a result of air strikes on bridges, Kyiv could split into two parts if the city authorities do not prepare alternative traffic routes.

This was stated in an interview with “Telegraf” by People’s Deputy from the “Servant of the People” faction, deputy head of the parliamentary committee on transport and infrastructure Vladimir Kreidenko.

“I don’t want to believe in such a scenario. After all, we still have a margin of safety in our bridges. The main issue here is the organization of work. If there is no work (on the part of Kyiv and its leadership, as well as on the part of the ministry), then, in principle, Kyiv could split into two parts,” the deputy said.

According to Kreidenko, the alternative pontoon crossings that are planned to be built in the capital will not be able to fully replace the capacity of the existing bridges. In addition, there is a risk of a prolonged shutdown of the metro and a transport collapse if Russian strikes continue to damage critical infrastructure and the authorities do not prepare the necessary alternatives.

It is planned to allocate 2.2 billion hryvnias for the construction of two temporary pontoon bridges: 1.2 billion will be provided by the state budget, and another 1 billion by Kyiv. The crossings are expected to appear in February — early March 2027.

The new bridges will be able to handle only part of the automobile traffic. Currently, about 600 thousand vehicles cross the capital’s bridges every day. Initially, it was planned to ensure capacity at least at the level of 50% of this flow. However, Kreidenko doubts that two crossings will be able to pass 300 thousand cars per day.

There is also a risk of a prolonged shutdown of the Kyiv metro. According to the MP, additional buses and Kyiv City Express trains will not be able to fully replace the subway, which remains the main transport artery between the left and right banks.

To avoid such a scenario, it is necessary to establish prompt inspection of damaged bridges, inform residents and organize alternative traffic, Kreidenko believes.

We wrote about which missiles Russia uses to strike Kyiv’s bridges in a separate article.