Russian drones hit Kyiv bridge and school, disrupting traffic and metro service

Two Russian drones struck near the supports of Kyiv's Southern Bridge on Oct. 1, disrupting the main metro link between the city's eastern and western banks, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. The attack occurred at about 11:30 a.m. local time while cars and a metro train were crossing the bridge. Video footage posted on social media showed a fire and a column of smoke rising from the structure.

Emergency services halted traffic to inspect the bridge, but a preliminary assessment later found no critical damage. By 2:25 p.m., traffic had resumed. The metro train that passed the blast experienced dust entering the carriage through its ventilation system; neither passengers nor the driver were injured and the train was sent to a depot for inspection.

Earlier that day, a Russian drone hit a school in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district, causing a fire on the third floor and damage to walls, doors and windows. Children and teachers were sheltering at the time, and no casualties were reported.

Authorities also reported drone strikes on a non-residential complex in the Pecherskyi district and warehouse facilities in Solomianskyi. A data centre at the Parkovy Congress and Exhibition Center in Pecherskyi sustained critical damage and ceased operations.

Kyiv has experienced near-continuous drone attacks throughout the week, with six air-raid alerts issued by midday on Oct. 1. The attacks follow a recent large-scale strike on the city's energy infrastructure that caused power outages.