Ukrainian forces on Wednesday damaged a bridge that is key to supplying Russian troops in southern Ukraine, where Russia's foreign minister said Moscow is trying to consolidate its territorial gains.
Russia's top diplomat noted that when Russia and Ukraine in March discussed a possible deal to end the fighting, "our readiness to accept the Ukrainian proposal was based on the geography of March 2022."
The Ukrainian strike on the Dnipro River bridge appeared to be intended to loosen Russia's grip on the southern Kherson region. Wednesday's attack on the bridge was the second in as many days. The head of the Moscow-appointed Kherson administration, Vladimir Saldo, said in a video message that passenger vehicles could continue driving across the bridge but truck traffic was halted. He said trucks could cross the river using a dam 80 kilometres away.
"They are keeping them from any constructive steps and not only pumping in weapons but forcing them to use those weapons in an increasingly risky way," the Russian minister said. Ukraine's presidential office said at least 13 civilians were killed and a further 40 wounded by the Russian shelling across the country in a 24-hour period between Tuesday and Wednesday.
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