While a tragic train derailment occurred late Saturday in the western part of Russia due to a bridge collapse, local officials suggest that “illegal interference” may be to blame for the disastrous event. The incident led to the death of at least seven individuals and left 30 others injured. The event unfolded in the Bryansk region, which sits on the border with Ukraine.
According to Moscow Railways, damage to the bridge was attributed to “illegal interference in transport operations,” although further details have not yet been provided. The federal road transportation agency, Rosavtodor, reported that the collapsed bridge spanned above the railway tracks along which the passenger train was traveling.
Images shared by various government agencies depict the aftermath, illustrating train cars shredded and immersed in the wreckage of the fallen concrete structure. Other videos on social media showed vehicles that were precariously close to crossing the bridge prior to its collapse.
Alexander Bogomaz, the Governor of the Bryansk region, stated that emergency responders and government officials have been diligently working at the site of the incident. He confirmed the fatalities and also noted that two children were among those injured.
The Russian government is endeavoring to provide essential support to those affected. While no official statement has been made regarding potential perpetrators, previous incidents have sometimes been linked to pro-Ukrainian saboteurs targeting Russian railway infrastructures, though confirmations of the specifics in such instances remain sketchy.
In December 2023, news outlets based in Ukraine claimed that the country’s top intelligence agency executed two explosions on a significant railroad in Siberia, crucial for trade between Russia and China. Ukraine’s security services did not issue any remarks regarding these allegations. Following these reports, Russian Railways acknowledged one of the explosions but did not elaborate on its cause. No statement was made regarding the second purported explosion.