Russian Investigator Labels Bridge Collapses as 'Terrorist Attacks' Amid Rising Security Concerns

The Russian Investigative Committee has officially classified the recent bridge collapses in the Bryansk and Kursk border regions as terrorist attacks, following overnight explosions that led to severe casualties and disruption. Authorities confirmed that criminal proceedings have been launched in response to the incidents, highlighting the growing security concerns along the nation’s western frontier.

Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the committee, announced, "The Main Investigative Directorate, on the instructions of the chairman of the Investigative Committee, has initiated criminal cases regarding the explosions on the railway lines in the Bryansk and Kursk Regions. These incidents have been classified as acts of terrorism." This escalation of terminology underscores the gravity with which Russian officials are treating the events and signals potential shifts in domestic security policy.

According to the investigative committee, two explosions rocked the regions overnight, each resulting in the collapse of critical rail infrastructure. The most devastating occurred in the Bryansk region on the Vygonichi-Pilshino railway section at approximately 10:50 p.m. local time (0750 GMT) on May 31, 2025. The collapsing road bridge caused a passenger train, carrying nearly 400 people, to derail catastrophically.

The aftermath of the Bryansk explosion was grim: Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz reported the deaths of seven people and injuries sustained by 66 others. Emergency services continue to work at the site, while transportation between several key cities remains suspended. The scale of the casualties and the apparent targeting of civilian infrastructure have heightened anxieties among local populations.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring Kursk region, another blast targeted a railway bridge, causing a passing train to plunge onto the road below. Initial reports from the committee stated that the driver and two of his assistants were injured in the incident. The Kursk explosion, though less deadly, adds to a pattern of attacks raising alarms over border security and the vulnerability of vital transport routes.

These coordinated attacks come amid a period of heightened tensions along Russia's western borders. Local authorities have increased security measures and begun a comprehensive investigation into the events, pledging to hold those responsible accountable. As repair efforts begin and the nation mourns the victims, concerns remain high over further disruptions and the broader implications for regional stability.