Ukrainian HIMARS Strike Destroys Russian Pontoon Bridge

Ukrainian forces said they damaged a pontoon bridge on the Seym River in Russia's Kursk region in a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) attack, amid an ongoing cross-border incursion.

A video published by Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces on Thursday purportedly shows the moment cluster munitions from a HIMARS rocket struck the temporary pontoon bridge along the bank of the Seym River in the Kursk region.

Ukraine's military has used the U.S.-supplied HIMARS frequently in the war, often targeting Russia's most advanced anti-aircraft missile systems.

Fierce clashes erupted in Kursk, which borders Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region after Ukraine deployed troops and armored vehicles into the area on August 6. Kyiv's forces quickly gained control of Russian territory as Moscow scrambled to deploy additional resources to the area from front-line regions in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces said on Telegram that Kyiv's forces "conducted a successful operation to destroy a significant number of enemy personnel" using HIMARS in the region.

"These units were gathering for the purpose of preparing for assault actions on the positions of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," it said.

The Unmanned Systems Forces said the equipment has allowed it "to effectively strike the enemy not only on the front lines, but also in the deep rear, changing the course of hostilities and bringing our victory closer."

Newsweek couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the footage and has contacted Russia's Defense Ministry for comment by email.

The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S.-based think tank, noted in its latest analysis of the conflict in Ukraine on Thursday that Kyiv's forces previously struck several Russian pontoon bridges over the Seym River in August.

The bridges had been used by Russia as key supply routes amid Ukraine's incursion in Kursk.

Ukraine is so far reported to have seized control of about 1,294 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory and 100 settlements. Newsweek could not verify these figures.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his forces to push back Ukrainian troops from Kursk by October 1, according to RBC Ukraine.

The ISW said Thursday that Russian authorities have reportedly deployed additional elements of the Russian 106th Airborne Division to the region, and "may begin redeploying more combat experienced forces to support ongoing Russian counterattacks and future counteroffensive operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia."

"Russian authorities may concentrate additional elements of the 106th VDV Division and other more combat experienced formations in Kursk Oblast as Russian forces continue counterattacks against the Ukrainian salient," it said.

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