Russian investigators have classified explosions that destroyed railway bridges in the Bryansk and Kursk regions as "terrorist attacks," following overnight incidents that caused fatal train derailments and heightened security concerns near the country's western border.
The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed Sunday that two explosions on May 31, 2025, collapsed critical infrastructure in the border regions. Svetlana Petrenko, the committee's spokesperson, stated criminal cases were initiated under terrorism charges, with probes ongoing to identify perpetrators.
In Bryansk, a blast at 10:50 p.m. local time destroyed a road bridge structure, derailing a passenger train carrying 388 people. Governor Alexander Bogomaz reported seven fatalities and 66 injuries, marking one of the deadliest rail incidents in recent years. A separate explosion in Kursk caused a freight train to plunge onto a roadway, injuring three crew members.
"These deliberate acts targeting civilian infrastructure represent a grave threat to public safety," Petrenko said, emphasizing the committee's focus on uncovering potential cross-border connections. The attacks occurred in regions less than 200 kilometers from Ukraine, though no direct accusations were made in official statements.
Emergency crews worked through the night to clear debris and restore rail operations, while security forces increased patrols along transportation corridors. The incidents have sparked debates about infrastructure vulnerability amid ongoing regional tensions.
