DOMINANT ANGLE
Paris is deciphering the battle for Kiev's bridges in terms of its consequences for civilians: a capital cut in two by the Dnieper, where the Russian call for foreigners to leave weighs on daily life.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
The North Bridge in Kiev was hit on Saturday, October 3, after the South Bridge was struck on Thursday and Friday; the road and trolleybus cables were damaged, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
- 02
The Russian Foreign Ministry again called on diplomats and foreigners to leave Kiev, promising "massive retaliatory strikes".
- 03
Zelensky claims that Putin has adopted a "new doctrine" targeting more civilian targets before winter and announces an intensification of strikes on Russian refineries.
ANALYSIS
Paris, October 4, 2026. For the French press, the central information is the strike, on Saturday, October 3, of the North Bridge of Kiev, the second major structure hit after the South Bridge, which was struck by Russian drones on Thursday and Friday. Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram: "The North Bridge has been hit. Emergency services are on their way." According to him, the road and trolleybus cables are damaged and traffic is cut off in the direction from the left bank to the right bank of the Dnieper. Le Monde reports two injured, one of whom is hospitalized.
France 24 and HuffPost France emphasize the geography: Kiev has feared attacks on its eight main road and rail bridges since 2022, "essential infrastructure for the logistics of the capital." HuffPost adds that the city hall has limited traffic on the Paton and Metro bridges, and AFP has observed restrictions on the Darnytsky Bridge. On Friday, "gigantic" traffic jams paralyzed a large part of the city.
The human aspect dominates. RFI, through the voice of its correspondent Emmanuelle Chaze, describes public transportation that operates "at the mercy of the opening or closing of bridges" and a city center that is emptying. Libération talks about "civilians trapped in the battle of the bridges" and judges that the Russian objective is to "durablely disrupt the city." Le Monde collects the testimony of Olga, a refugee from Crimea: "we are now used to explosions."
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has again called on diplomats and foreigners to leave Kiev. According to its statement, reported by RFI and 20 Minutes, "the responsibility for any negative consequences lies entirely with those who ignore this warning," and Russian forces "will continue to carry out massive retaliatory strikes" against "military targets." Klitschko judges the situation "extremely dramatic" and accuses Moscow of "devastating" the city; 20 Minutes recalls that the authorities fear the winter and new strikes on energy, as in 2025.
Le Monde also reports on Volodymyr Zelensky's interview on Saturday: Ukrainian intelligence would have obtained documents showing a "new doctrine" by Vladimir Putin aiming at a wider range of civilian targets before winter, and Ukraine will intensify its strikes on Russian refineries. On Sunday, RFI relays the New York Times on the sale of Lukoil's assets to close associates of Donald Trump, a transaction that "raises serious questions of conflict of interest."
SOURCES (6)
- 20 MinutesMEDIUM
- HuffPost FranceMEDIUM
- LibérationMEDIUM
