On October 3, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna was in Zhytomyr, Ukraine to open a bridge reconstructed with Estonia’s assistance, the second reconstruction project completed in Ukraine.
On 6 March 2022, Russian forces bombed Zhytomyr Oblast, destroying the Malyn bridge that linked two parts of the city. Today, the bridge reopens. The 152-metre Malyn bridge spans the Irsha river and connects the road running north and south to Zhytomyr. This connection has been completely restored thanks to the combined efforts of Estonia and Ukraine.
“The reconstruction of the Malyn bridge is not only crucial for the local community, it is also a symbolic step to show that Estonia is determined in its support for Ukraine’s reconstruction and continues to lead the way for the whole world. We are still here for the Ukrainians with economic assistance, military support and necessary skills to make sure people can return to their normal lives as soon as possible and Ukraine becomes a member of the European Union. Ukraine’s reconstruction will take decades and it is all the more reason for us to do it consistently,” Tsahkna said. “I reiterated to my European Union colleagues that Estonia would support Ukraine until its victory and beyond. Ukraine is fighting for the freedom of us all.”
Estonia contributed €1 million for the reconstruction, a third of the total cost of the bridge. On Estonia’s part, the project was carried out by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) with the company Stricto Project of bridge expert Andreas Papp.
“It was less than a year from the launch of the bridge project until its completion and it was completed with our excellent partners in Ukraine,” Andrea Kivi, Acting Executive Director of ESTDEV, said. “The bridge symbolises our faith in the future of Ukraine and it signifies the strong cooperation between our two countries.”
