The Romaniv Bridge is located on the way out of Irpin, connecting the city with the highway leading to Kyiv. It spans approximately 115 meters over the Irpin River.

On the second day of the full-scale invasion, February 25, 2022, Ukrainian forces were forced to blow up the Romaniv Bridge to halt the advance of Russian troops. However, this also complicated evacuation routes for residents of Bucha and Vorzel.

Footage of locals escaping across wooden planks over the Irpin River spread across the world. Under the ruins of the destroyed bridge, civilians fled the shelling, navigating through concrete debris and twisted metal. Adults carried children and pets in their arms as they made their way to safety. For many, this was the only escape route — their “road of life”.

After the liberation of Kyiv region, a temporary embankment was built at the site of the Romaniv Bridge, serving as a provisional crossing for vehicles. Until the new bridge was completed in 2023, drivers used this makeshift path to travel between Irpin and Kyiv, easing traffic congestion.

Despite the reconstruction, the remains of the original Romaniv Bridge remain a symbol of the horrors faced by Irpin during the assault on Kyiv.