“We Will Strike Strategic Bridges”: Russia Threatens to Split Kyiv in Two

Russian military forces intend to split Kyiv in two by carrying out strikes on strategic bridges across Ukraine, according to statements by Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

The announcement came as Moscow initiated massive strikes against the country's energy infrastructure, while official Kremlin statements explicitly ruled out discussing border safety zones in future negotiations, according to 24tv.

During a military briefing at an auxiliary command post, Vladimir Putin met with defense officials to outline current priorities during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Officials addressed several operational metrics and military objectives. Kremlin representatives stated that around 10% of the Donetsk region and roughly 16.5% of the Zaporizhzhia region remain under Ukrainian control.

Valery Gerasimov reported that since September 1, Russian forces captured over 1,800 square kilometers of territory and 92 settlements, while claiming that a 2,000-strong Ukrainian group was destroyed in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

Kremlin statements highlighted that the capture of the Donetsk region remains a primary task, while claiming the Luhansk region is under total Russian control. Russian officials reported that steel production in Ukraine has stopped and operations across key Black Sea ports have ceased.

Read more

Category

World

Pope Calls on Putin for a Ceasefire to Deliver Aid to Temporarily Occupied Oleshky

Oct 16, 2026 20:04

Addressing air defense and overall strategy, Vladimir Putin stated that “Russia needs to increase the effectiveness of air defense” and directed that “launching massive and group strikes against Ukrainian facilities must be continued.” Meanwhile, Valery Gerasimov announced: “We will strike strategic bridges in Ukraine.”

On October 14, 2026, Russia launched a massive overnight attack against Ukrainian infrastructure, firing 39 ballistic missiles and over 120 drones at Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Kharkiv. Ukrainian air defenses neutralized 115 UAVs and four ballistic missiles, but the strikes damaged 26 power grid facilities and four oil and gas sites, leaving at least 600,000 people without electricity.

Monitoring channels reported that a record barrage of roughly 25 Zircon hypersonic missiles targeted the capital and surrounding areas. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assault as a deliberate strike on energy infrastructure previously covered by a ceasefire, calling the scale of the operation an open display of disrespect toward the United States.

Truth is Under Attack

We report the war as it unfolds directly from the people and places most affected by it. Your support helps us bring these stories to the world.

SUPPORT