WATCH: Ukraine destroys second bridge in Russia's Kursk region as Zelenskyy aims to create 'buffer zones'

As Ukraine’s incursion in Kursk reaches its second week, the country said that it has destroyed the second strategically important bridge in Russia. On Sunday, the Ukrainian military released aerial footage of the strike on the bridge. They noted that the targeted bridge is located over the Seym River in Zvannoe.

This is the second time in a week Kyiv was responsible for destroying a Russian bridge. Hours after the update by the Ukrainian military, the country’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went on to justify Kyiv’s actions. Zelenskyy emphasised that the aim of the military incursion into Kursk was to create a “buffer zone” to stop Russian attacks.

It’s been two weeks since Ukraine conducted its biggest attack on Russian territory since the start of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022.

‘Minus one more bridge’ Ukraine boasts about the attack

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The video of the attack which is circulating online showed a growing large cloud of smoke over the bridge with one of its sections appearing to be destroyed. “Minus one more bridge,” Ukrainian Air Force commander Lt Gen Mykola Oleschuk wrote on social media sharing the footage of the strike.

Курський напрямок.
Мінус ще один міст!
Авіація ПС точними ударами з повітря продовжує позбавляти ворога логістичних спроможностей, що суттєво впливає на хід бойових дій!

Вкотре дякую льотчикам за професіоналізм і результат!

Командувач ПС генерал-лейтенант Микола Олещук pic.twitter.com/8Sq0NYO6dY

— Генеральний штаб ЗСУ (@GeneralStaffUA) August 18, 2024

“Ukrainian Air Force aviation continues to deprive the enemy of logistical capabilities with precision airstrikes, which significantly affects the course of hostilities,” he added.

The attack came days after Ukraine destroyed another bridge that stood over the river Seym which is located near the Russian town of Glushkovo. The first bridge which was destroyed by the Ukrainians was used by the Kremlin to provide supplies to its troops.

What does Ukraine have in mind

During his evening address on Sunday, Zelenskyy maintained that the Ukrainian troops are strengthening positions in Kursk and will attempt to further expand in Russia. “Our operation in the Kursk region is still inflicting losses on the Russian army and the Russian state, their defence industry and their economy,” the Ukrainian President averred.

I received a briefing from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, covering the situation in the eastern part of Ukraine, operations in the Kursk region, the ‘exchange fund,’ and the equipping of our brigades, particularly the reserves, with ammunition and weapons.

In every direction, our… pic.twitter.com/sNQYb9JJ3k

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 18, 2024

“This is more than just defence for Ukraine,” he added, insisting that the aim the operation’s aim was to “destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions”. In response to this, Russia has called the Kursk invasion “provocative” and vowed to retaliate with a “worthy response”.

While Ukrainian forces infiltrate the Russian territories, the Russian troops are equally gaining ground in Ukraine’s east and have already claimed a string of villages in recent weeks.

With inputs from agencies.