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Seven killed after bridge collapse, train derailment in Russia's Bryansk region bordering Ukraine

Russian authorities announced early Sunday that at least seven people had died and 30 others were hospitalized after "illegal intervention" caused a collapsed bridge and train derailment in the Bryansk region of Russia, which borders Ukraine.

Russian Railways announced on Telegram that the train's locomotive, along with several cars, had derailed due to "the collapse of a span-structure of the road bridge in response to an illegal interference with the operation of transportation."

Alexander Bogomaz said that two children, including one in a critical condition, were hospitalized. The state-run Russian news agencies cited medics to report that the driver of the locomotive was among those who died.

The Russian ministry for emergency situations announced on Telegram that the main focus of its efforts was to find and rescue victims. Around 180 people were involved in this operation.

Baza Telegram, a Russian channel that often publishes news from law enforcement and security sources, claimed, without any evidence, preliminary information had indicated the bridge was destroyed.

The Baza report could not be independently verified. Ukraine has not yet commented.

Since the beginning of the war, which Russia started more than three year ago, there has been continued cross border shelling, drone attacks, and covert operations from Ukraine in the Bryansk region, Kursk region, and Belgorod region that borders Ukraine.

Russian Railways reported that the train was heading from Klimovo towards Moscow. Bogomaz reported that the train collided with a collapsed bridge near a federal highway, in the Vygonichskyi District of the Bryansk Region. The district is located about 100 km (62miles) from the Ukrainian border.

U.S. president Donald Trump has urged Moscow to work with Kyiv on an agreement to end the conflict, and Russia proposed a second face-to-face round of talks with Ukrainian officials in Istanbul next week.

Ukraine has not yet committed to attend the Monday talks, stating that it must first see Russian proposals. A leading U.S. Senator warned Moscow it will be "hit heavily" by new U.S. Sanctions. (Reporting and editing by Daniel Wallis in Melbourne)

(source: Reuters)