Ukrainian military blows up two pontoon bridges across Siverskyi Donets River to stop Russian troops
Russia's war against Ukraine - the main events of May 12
CNN noted that satellite images collected by geospatial intelligence firm BlackSky shows a Russian pontoon bridge crossing the river on May 10 shortly after a Ukrainian artillery barrage hit the surrounding area.
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Smoke can be seen rising from the western shore of the Siverskyi Donets River at one end of the bridge. The eastern bank features craters and smoke, including around Russian military vehicles that crossed over.
In addition, according to grainy drone video circulating on social media, which has geolocated and authenticated by CNN, shows the aftermath of the strikes, where a Russian pontoon bridge can be seen half-sunk into the river.
Additional photos circulating on social media, also taken by drone, show that the Russians tried to erect a second pontoon bridge across the river. That bridge too was blown up by Ukrainians forces, in addition to a number of military vehicles.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry on Twitter also posted photos of the two pontoon bridges destroyed near Bilohorivka.
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"Artillerymen of the 17th tank brigade of the Ukrainian Army have opened the holiday season for the ruscists,” the Ministry tweeted.
“Some took a bath in the Siverskyi Donets River, and some were burned by the May sun.”
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On May 10, Luhansk regional governor, Serhiy Haidai, announced that the Ukrainian troops had destroyed pontoon bridge crossings that Russian invaders had built across the Siverskyi Donets River near Bilohorivka, while the village was being cleared of Russian troops.
Read also: Second strike on bridge across Dniester estuary in southern Ukraine destroys facility
Ukraine's General Staff reported on May 12 that Russian forces were attempting to conduct offensives in the Lyman, Sievierodonetsk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Kurakhove directions in the Donbas simultaneously.
Their main goal appears to remain the establishment of full control over the town of Rubizhne, and to capture the towns of Lyman and Sievierodonetsk.
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Russian troops are also trying to hold the line on the right bank of the Siverskyi Donets River, preparing for an offensive in the directions of Kurakhove and Novopavlivka.
