Samara, Russia – Rail traffic in the Samara region of Russia faced disruptions on Monday following an explosion that damaged a railway bridge over the Chapaevka River, as reported by local emergency services. The incident, which occurred around 5:00 am, resulted in the suspension of rail traffic through the affected bridge due to damages to its support structures and side railings.
According to statements from the local railway service quoted by state-run media, the disruptions were attributed to “illegal interference by unauthorized persons in the operation of railway transport.” As a result, five passenger trains in the Samara region experienced delays as a consequence of the incident.
Later on Monday, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, GUR, confirmed the occurrence of the explosion along the Samara region railroad bridge. Despite the confirmation, it remained unclear whether the explosion was linked to Kyiv. The GUR highlighted that the railroad route affected by the explosion was allegedly utilized by an aggressor state for transporting military cargo, including ammunition produced at a factory in the city of Chapaevsk.
The city of Chapaevsk, situated approximately 40 kilometers south of the regional capital of Samara, now faces the aftermath of the damage inflicted on the railway bridge. As the GUR statement indicated, the extent of the damage rendered the bridge temporarily unusable, without providing further specifics on the nature of the damage.
Russian authorities have previously documented several attacks on the country’s transport infrastructure since the commencement of their full-scale invasion of Ukraine over two years ago. In such cases, blame is often directed towards Kyiv for the alleged sabotage incidents, indicating ongoing tensions in the region. These incidents further exacerbate the already strained relations between the two nations, contributing to the challenges faced by residents and authorities in the Samara region.