Russia’s modernized Iskander ballistic missiles have gained improved precision-strike capabilities, posing a threat to transport connections between the two banks of Kyiv. According to British newspaper The Telegraph, Ukrainian officials regard attacks on bridges as part of an intensifying Russian campaign aimed at dividing Ukraine into two parts.

The newspaper reports that Russian forces have equipped Iskander missiles with optical and radar homing systems. The upgraded guidance equipment allows the missiles to adjust their trajectories during the final stage of flight, immediately before striking their targets.

Sergei Beskrestnov, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, said that these guidance systems were used in recent strikes against bridges in Kyiv. According to him, they provide accuracy within a few meters of the intended target.

The attacks have disrupted transport links between the left and right banks of the Ukrainian capital.

Ukrainian officials believe that strikes against bridge infrastructure are part of Russia’s escalating efforts to divide the country into two sections.

Ukrainian lawmaker Vladimir Kreidenko previously warned about the potential consequences of repeated attacks on the capital’s bridges. On November 10, he stated that Kyiv could be split into two parts.

The parliamentarian emphasized that pontoon crossings would not be able to fully replace the city’s existing bridges if they were damaged.