[1] The bridge changed hands several times in February 2022 as Russian forces attempted to establish a path from Russian-held Crimea into central Ukraine.

[3] Ukrainian forces eventually lost control over the area on 26 February 2022 after fierce fighting, leaving several dead soldiers and destroyed military vehicles lying on the bridge.

[6] Observers considered it to be the most important road crossing to the Russian-controlled areas west of the Dnieper river, the only other one being at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.

[15] TASS reported that the Russian air defence systems had intercepted the projectiles, but this was disputed by the Ukrainian forces and did not match visual evidence.

[citation needed] On 25 August, satellite images showed no fewer than 16 damage holes on the southern end of the bridge, with vehicle traffic queuing on both sides as a temporary ferry services provided a crossing route across the Dnieper.