# Russia Makes No Ground Gains, Kyiv Bridges Vulnerable > Russia's army shows no progress in Ukraine despite claims of territorial gains, while Kyiv's old bridges face drone threats. - Title: Russia Makes No Ground Gains, Kyiv Bridges Vulnerable - Summary: Russia's army shows no progress in Ukraine despite claims of territorial gains, while Kyiv's old bridges face drone threats. Russia has made no territorial… - Keywords: russia, kyiv, ukraine, pontoon bridges, drone strikes, shahed drones, ukraine battlefield, russian army, kyiv bridges, drones, ukraine air defense, russian offensive - Source: EUobserver — https://euobserver.com/241119/russias-army-making-no-progress-on-the-ground-but-kyivs-old-bridges-are-vulnerable-to-drone-strikes-ukraine-battlefield-update-day-1684 - Published: 2026-10-05T14:04:29+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: russia, kyiv, ukraine, pontoon bridges, drone strikes, shahed drones, ukraine battlefield, russian army, kyiv bridges, drones, ukraine air defense, russian offensive ## Russia's Frontline Stalemate Russia made no progress on the front, with September among its worst months for territorial gains. > Russia is making no progress at all on the front, and September was among its worst months. ## Putin's False Claims Russian president Vladimir Putin claimed to have captured 1,300 square km in September, but this is fabricated data. > Russian president Vladimir Putin claimed in Valdai at the beginning of the month that his subjects had captured 1,300 square km of territory in September. ## Actual Russian Advances Russian forces advanced only 177 square km in September, far less than Putin's claimed 1,300 square km. > Even if this author’s figures were correct, the Russians advanced by 177 square km during September’s 30 days, more than seven times less than Putin claims. ## Ukrainian Analysts' Data Ukrainian analysts report Ukraine lost 154 square km in September, with some liberated areas at risk of being retaken. > Ukraine lost 154 square km in September, and DeepStateUA now recalls that their statistics do not yet include 270 to 320 square km of liberated Ukrainian territory. ## Finnish Analysts' View Finnish analysts estimate Ukraine gained 190 square km in September, marking Russia's greatest monthly net territorial loss since June 2023. > The most optimistic by far are currently Finnish analysts from the Black Bird Group, who see a balance of 190 square kms in Ukraine's favour in September. ## Russia's Economic Strategy Russia aims to disrupt Kyiv's economy by targeting bridges and transport infrastructure with drone strikes. > Russia wants to cause Kyiv’s economic collapse, and pontoon bridges are being prepared in the city. ## Northern Bridge Attack A Russian drone strike damaged Kyiv's Northern Bridge during heavy traffic, coinciding with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit. > 🚨 BREAKING: Russian forces launched a drone strike hitting the Northern Bridge in Kyiv, damaging the road surface. ## Kyiv Bridge Traffic Kyiv's transport minister Mykola Kalashnyk reports 600,000 cars cross bridges daily, with temporary crossings planned to maintain traffic. > Ukraine's transport minister Mykola Kalashnyk said 600,000 cars cross Kyiv's bridges every day. ## Bridge Vulnerability Kyiv's bridges are rated at four or five on a scale of one to five, with poor technical condition making them vulnerable to drone strikes. > Transport expert Dmytro Bespalov rates the Southern and Northern bridges at four on a scale of one to five, where one is ideal condition and five is emergency condition. ## Drone Defense Effectiveness Ukraine's air defenses neutralized 83 percent of drones launched in September, down from 92 percent in May. > Ukraine’s air defences neutralised 83 percent of drones launched in September, compared with 92 percent in May. ## Drone Attack Trends Russia launched 6,732 drones in September, up from 5,155 in August, with effectiveness declining steadily. > Shahed type OWA-UAS stats Sep2026 [per UA Air Force Reports] Total: 6732 Claimed Intercepted: 5561 Hits: 1171 Not Intercepted Interception Rate: ~83% Median Attack: 171 drones ## Drone Impact on Infrastructure A TM-62 anti-tank mine can destroy buildings used as shelters for Russian soldiers, with Ukraine using such drones for targeted strikes. > One TM-62 anti-tank mine contains seven and a half kilograms of explosives. This is enough to destroy the remains of a building used as a shelter by Russian soldiers. ## Russian Soldier's Drone Count A Russian soldier recorded five drones in a single moment, illustrating the saturation of the battlefield with drone activity. > I’ve already counted five. It’s a damn swarm. ## Kerch Bridge Defenses Three lines of anti-drone barriers protect the Kerch Bridge from attacks, with layered defenses to shield critical infrastructure. > Three lines of anti-drone barriers protect the Kerch Bridge, which links Crimea to Russia, from attacks from the sea. ## Ukraine's Equipment Losses Ukraine lost 12,238 pieces of equipment, including 1,466 tanks, while Russia lost 24,170 pieces, including 4,452 tanks. > Ukraine lost 12,238 (12,175) pieces of equipment, of which 9,633 (9,579) were destroyed, 711 (702) damaged, 695 (695) abandoned and 1,199 (1,199) captured. ## Key takeaway Russia has made no territorial gains in September, with Kyiv's bridges vulnerable to drone strikes as Ukraine prepares temporary crossings.