Russian Investigator Labels Bridge Collapses as 'Terrorist Attacks' in Major Security Investigation
Russian authorities label bridge collapses in Bryansk and Kursk as terrorist acts, raising security concerns.
The Russian Investigative Committee formally announced on Sunday that the recent collapses of railway bridges in the country's Bryansk and Kursk regions have been classified as *terrorist attacks*. This designation follows two overnight explosions that resulted in significant infrastructure damage, derailments, and multiple casualties along the border with Ukraine.
Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Russian Investigative Committee, confirmed that the Main Investigative Directorate had initiated criminal proceedings concerning the two incidents. "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," she stated, emphasizing the gravity of the events.
According to official reports, the first explosion occurred at approximately 10:50 p.m. local time on May 31, 2025, along the Vygonichi-Pilshino railway section in the Bryansk region. The blast caused a *road bridge to collapse*, leading to the derailment of a passenger train carrying 388 travelers. *Seven people were killed*, and *66 others sustained injuries* as a direct result of the incident, Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz confirmed. Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene to provide medical assistance and begin investigations.
In a separate but nearly simultaneous event, another explosion targeted a railway bridge in the neighboring Kursk region. A freight train passing over the structure crashed onto the underlying road, inflicting injuries on the driver and two assistants onboard. The crash scene revealed extensive destruction, with mangled rail cars and debris scattered across the area.
Authorities have heightened security measures across railway networks in the region, and investigative teams are working to identify those responsible for what officials are calling *deliberate sabotage*. The classification of these incidents as terrorist attacks marks a significant escalation in regional security concerns and underscores the vulnerability of key transport infrastructure.
Officials have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as repairs and recovery efforts continue. The ongoing investigation is expected to focus not only on the technical aspects of the explosions but also on potential links to broader regional tensions.
