Kyiv Bridge Struck by Drones as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Arrives in Surprise Visit
A major bridge in Kyiv has been targeted by Russian drone strikes for the second consecutive day, coinciding with an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Sunday morning's strike hit the Pivnichnyi, or Northern, Bridge across the Dnipro River, damaging both the roadway and a heating main, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The attack left residents in the north-eastern Desnyanskyi district facing a temporary lack of hot water.
The renewed assault on the capital's transport infrastructure follows a strike on the same bridge on Saturday that injured two people, damaged the road surface, and disrupted overhead trolleybus wires. Earlier in the week, the Pivdennyi, or Southern, Bridge was also struck multiple times by Russian drones. The Pivdennyi and Pivnichnyi bridges link the western and eastern sections of Kyiv and had remained unhit prior to Thursday. Russia stated that its drones targeted the crossings to disrupt the transfer of Ukrainian troops and military cargo.
Kyiv authorities suspended vehicular traffic from the eastern bank toward central Kyiv over the Pivnichnyi Bridge following damage to road surfaces and trolleybus power lines.
German Support and Strategic Aid Package
Chancellor Merz arrived in Kyiv accompanied by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and an economic delegation representing several German defense and energy firms, including Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, and Quantum Systems. Government officials reported that Merz is set to announce a comprehensive support package containing 1 billion euros in military aid alongside 350 million euros dedicated to energy sector repairs. Discussions are also expected to finalize an agreement on the joint production of defense technologies, including high-speed anti-jet drones and long-range systems.
During talks with Ukrainian leaders, Merz reaffirmed Berlin's commitment against the ongoing invasion. He stated that Germany's own security is tied to the conflict's outcome and that his government would bolster Ukrainian air defenses. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met Merz at the railway station and emphasized the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.
Moscow Warnings and Frontline Context
Ahead of the weekend attacks, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement warning foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv, declaring that massive retaliatory strikes would continue in response to Ukrainian operations targeting Russian energy installations. Despite the capital's distance from the 1,250-kilometre front line, mayor Klitschko described the city as being in a dramatic situation as Russian forces target critical infrastructure, logistics, and housing.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Reuters that Ukraine would retaliate against Russian attacks on roads, schools, and hospitals by increasing strikes on Russian oil refineries. According to The Khaama Press, for Ukrainian military response, Ukraine announced it will respond by intensifying strikes against Russian oil refineries as air defense systems prepare for winter and counter faster jet-powered drones.
Defense experts note that while drone strikes are structurally unlikely to collapse the multi-lane bridges completely, repeated attacks risk weakening their integrity and forcing prolonged closures that disrupt urban mobility. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations and emergency repairs continue across the affected municipal sectors in Kyiv as political leaders navigate the stalled conflict.
For Kyiv population, Kyiv's targeted bridge corridors carry tens of thousands of daily commuters and serve a municipal population of approximately 3 million people.