[Goose]

I suspect another Russian General might take a high dive.

It seems Russian troops thought it was a good idea to stash a load of mines under bridges, presumably to hide them from surveillance.  Ooops.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/30/world/vid...sia-digvid

I doubt that was the reason. IMO it was following a "normal" Soviet practice of storing enough mines in the superstructure/underneath bridges to both a) mine the approach roads of the bridge if ordered and b) destroy the bridge if necessary. https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/29/world/ukr...rones-intl
This article seems to confirm that interpretation.

And of course Ukranians knowing this can use the fact against Russians by detonating the mines by hitting them with drones.

BC

Very probably the case IMO. The Ukrainians said they saw "unusual activity" but I am guessing this was an attempt at deception. They knew the Russian SOP. It is also quite possible that is also Ukrainian SOP :-). After all, they are reading the same manuals in many cases. In fairness to both sides in previous conflicts storing the explosives to mine the bridge approaches and the bridge itself wasn't very dangerous. Without drones, there was no good way to locate them and set them off. Not anymore :-).

The Ukrainians have made progress in reorganizing their military based on the Corps system. If they can last long enough to pull this off it will make them a much better military. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/...-steam.php Obviously such a development doesn't remove all legacy bad doctrine. It should help though.

[Goose]

I suspect another Russian General might take a high dive.

It seems Russian troops thought it was a good idea to stash a load of mines under bridges, presumably to hide them from surveillance.  Ooops.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/30/world/vid...sia-digvid

I doubt that was the reason. IMO it was following a "normal" Soviet practice of storing enough mines in the superstructure/underneath bridges to both a) mine the approach roads of the bridge if ordered and b) destroy the bridge if necessary. https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/29/world/ukr...rones-intl
This article seems to confirm that interpretation.

And of course Ukranians knowing this can use the fact against Russians by detonating the mines by hitting them with drones.

BC

Very probably the case IMO. The Ukrainians said they saw "unusual activity" but I am guessing this was an attempt at deception. They knew the Russian SOP. It is also quite possible that is also Ukrainian SOP :-). After all, they are reading the same manuals in many cases. In fairness to both sides in previous conflicts storing the explosives to mine the bridge approaches and the bridge itself wasn't very dangerous. Without drones, there was no good way to locate them and set them off. Not anymore :-).

The Ukrainians have made progress in reorganizing their military based on the Corps system. If they can last long enough to pull this off it will make them a much better military. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/...-steam.php Obviously such a development doesn't remove all legacy bad doctrine. It should help though.