Traffic Halted on Kiev Bridges During Air-Raid Alerts
Quick Look
- Traffic on bridges across the Dnieper River in Kiev is reportedly being halted during air-raid alerts, causing significant congestion and surging taxi fares.
- City authorities have not yet issued an official announcement regarding the restrictions.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Ukrainian capital relies on several bridges to connect its left and right banks, which are critical for daily transit.
MOSCOW, October 2. /TASS/. Traffic on all bridges across the Dnieper River in Kiev is being halted during air-raid alerts, according to the Strana news outlet.
Footage published by the outlet shows long traffic jams already forming on the bridges. Several Ukrainian media outlets have reported that restrictions are already in effect on the Darnytsa and Severny (formerly Moskovsky) bridges. However, the city authorities have not yet officially announced the introduction of such measures.
The Ukrainian capital has six road bridges, two railway bridges, and one combined road-and-rail bridge. Earlier today, severe traffic congestion developed after local authorities closed three major bridges across the Dnieper - the Yuzhny, Metro, and Paton bridges.
Former Ukrainian Minister of Transport and Communications Vasily Shevchenko said passenger traffic between Kiev’s left and right banks reaches 40,000 people per hour. According to Shevchenko, even the capital’s entire bus fleet would be unable to handle the volume of passengers needing to cross the Dnieper while the bridges remain closed.
Amid the disruptions, taxi fares in Kiev have reportedly surged several-fold, while some residents have begun leaving the city.
Open Questions
- Will city authorities officially confirm the bridge closures?
- How long will the restrictions remain in place?
