Over the past four days, Russian forces have targeted Kyiv’s two main bridges, the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge and the Pivdennyi (Southern) Bridge, with a combination of air and drone strikes.
The Pivnichnyi Bridge was struck on two successive days, while the Pivdennyi Bridge suffered several attacks earlier in the week, causing significant damage to the road and rail infrastructure that links the city’s eastern and western districts.
The latest assault came at a critical moment, as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz flew into Kyiv on Sunday for an unexpected visit, underscoring the urgency of the conflict’s humanitarian and geopolitical dimensions.
BBC Ukraine correspondent Dan Johnson stands just outside the damaged Pivnichnyi Bridge, where he explains the extent of the destruction and the challenges facing repair crews amid ongoing hostilities.
These strikes are part of a broader Russian strategy to cripple Ukraine’s transport links and pressure the capital’s ability to mobilize resources, according to analysts monitoring the conflict.
