The physical bridges that Moscow is targeting to cut Kyiv in two, and the diplomatic bridges that Putin refuses to build

Kyiv. On the morning of 2 October, many residents of Kyiv were stuck in traffic for hours whilst trying to get to work. This situation is the result of Russian shelling and a fresh attempt to destabilise the capital. The River Dnipro flows through Kyiv, dividing the city into two banks – the right and the left – connected by bridges. Cars, city buses and two metro lines use these bridges. Around 40 per cent of the capital’s population lives on the left bank, but many work on the right bank, where the city centre is located. In the morning, traffic on three bridges was completely or partially blocked. This was due to repeated Russian drone attacks on the South Bridge, which took place on 1 October and continued on 2 October. The bridge remained intact, but one of the attacks damaged the supporting structure, the guardrail, the road surface and the concrete protective barrier surrounding the metro, according to Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko. As a result, buses connecting the left bank to the right bank have altered their routes, and taxi fares have soared. Car owners are travelling to the city centre via the Darnitsky Bridge, amidst a long, slow stream of traffic. Some Kyiv residents are now crossing the South Bridge on foot.

Vladimir Putin has lifted all restrictions previously in place during the attacks, Volodymyr Zelensky told the Financial Times in an interview: “Putin has said that there are no longer any rules,” the Ukrainian president said, citing intelligence reports.

Consequently, the Ukrainian authorities are urgently seeking solutions to counter this situation. Whilst interceptors capable of shooting down jet-powered drones are currently being tested, F-16s, using 20 mm rounds, have proved effective in repelling attacks. On 30 September, the Ukrainian political leadership contacted their European counterparts to negotiate the supply of 20 mm rounds. “We are grateful to Spain, Belgium and Poland, which have already begun the transfer process,” said Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, during a meeting with journalists attended by Il Foglio. “We will have the ammunition we need very soon,” he assured.

The minister acknowledges that protecting airspace remains the greatest challenge. Ukraine has already deprived Russia of its land and sea dominance. The only area where it holds an advantage is airspace. “And this is difficult because they have a huge air fleet and ballistic missiles,” says Sybiha. According to intelligence estimates, Russia has 600 ballistic missiles in its stockpiles and can produce 120–140 per month.

Given the risk of a further escalation of the conflict, international allies are proposing that Ukraine and Russia agree to a ceasefire, at least in the Black Sea and in the energy sector. According to Sybiha, there are four proposals on this matter. Two (from Turkey and Egypt) are similar in substance: a food truce in the Black Sea and the lifting of the blockade on wheat exports. The United States is proposing an energy truce. India’s proposal is the most comprehensive: energy plus the sea. “We are open to various forms of ceasefire, including an unconditional one along the line of contact,” says Sybiga.

It appears, however, that Russia is not yet prepared to discuss any of these options. Speaking at the Valdai Forum, Putin stated that he considered a mutual cessation of attacks to be pointless. “They tell us: let them stop striking your oil refineries and you stop striking their ships; let them transport agricultural produce. But what about our other cargo, such as oil and petroleum products?” said Putin, describing the whole situation as “ridiculous”.

Meanwhile, Kyiv would like to resume the trilateral negotiation format: Ukraine, the United States and Russia. American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have put forward this proposal to Moscow. There has not yet been any response. However, according to information published by the New York Times, Russia is reportedly preparing for the largest attack on the energy sector since the end of the war, using around 1,000 missiles, drones and bombs against power stations and water supply facilities.