A Russian drone struck Kyiv’s Northern Bridge across the Dnipro River on Sunday, damaging the roadway and injuring two people, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The attack came as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital on an unannounced visit aimed at demonstrating Berlin’s continued support for Ukraine.
The strike added to an increasingly tense atmosphere in Kyiv, where air-raid sirens sounded repeatedly as Merz met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Northern Bridge, also known as the Pivnichnyi Bridge, is an important transport link between the eastern and western sides of the city. Damage to the crossing has contributed to growing disruption for commuters and other road users.
Sunday’s incident followed several attacks on bridges across the Dnipro in recent days. Ukrainian officials say the repeated strikes have forced restrictions on traffic across some of Kyiv’s major crossings, creating congestion and complicating movement through the capital. The attacks come as Russia has intensified its use of drones and missiles against Ukrainian infrastructure.
Merz arrived in Kyiv under heightened security conditions, despite a warning from Russia’s Foreign Ministry urging foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Ukraine because of the risk of further attacks. His visit was intended to underline Germany’s political and military backing for Ukraine at a particularly difficult stage of the war.
During the visit, Merz and Zelenskyy toured the damaged National Academy of Sciences building in central Kyiv, which was struck in an earlier Russian attack. Merz condemned attacks affecting civilians and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, while reiterating that Ukraine could continue to rely on German support.
Germany is also preparing additional assistance for Ukraine. Reuters reported that Berlin plans to provide about €1 billion in military aid, alongside funding for repairs to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The two countries are also working toward deeper cooperation in defence technology, including the joint production of drones.
The timing of the bridge strike has given the attack additional political significance. Rather than easing during the presence of a senior European leader, Russian attacks continued while the German delegation was in Kyiv, highlighting the increasingly direct confrontation between Moscow and Ukraine’s European supporters.
For residents of Kyiv, however, the immediate concern remains practical and personal: safe movement through the city, protection from further strikes and access to essential services. Repeated attacks on transport and energy infrastructure are also raising concerns about the coming winter, when damage to power and heating systems could place additional pressure on civilians.
The latest escalation offers little indication that the conflict is moving toward a quick resolution. With Russia continuing its aerial campaign and Ukraine promising to strengthen its own long-range attacks, Kyiv and its European partners face another difficult period in which military support, civilian protection and diplomatic efforts will remain closely intertwined. Tap to read more 👉https://omg10.com/4/11934173