Kyiv Repeatedly Hit by Drone Strikes as German Chancellor Arrives

Technicians repair overhead trolleybus power lines that were damaged following an attack on the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Technicians repair overhead trolleybus power lines that were damaged following an attack on the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge in Kyiv.

A major bridge in Kyiv has been targeted by Russian strikes for the second day in a row, coinciding with a surprise visit from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the city.

The Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge was hit on Sunday morning, a day after it was first struck by drones, damaging the road surface and creating traffic disruption.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the strike also damaged a heating main, leading to a temporary lack of hot water in the north‑eastern Desnyanskyi district.

Major bridges have been targeted in Kyiv over the past four days as Moscow ramps up attacks on the capital’s critical infrastructure.

Unverified footage shows cars moving on the bridge as a drone crashed into it before exploding, sending a ball of fire and a cloud of black smoke into the sky.

Klitschko reported the strike on Telegram: “Hitting the roadway on the North Bridge. Emergency services are on their way to the scene.”

As emergency services responded, Chancellor Merz reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine and pledged further assistance to boost Ukrainian air defences.

In a post to X, Merz wrote: “Ukraine is facing decisive weeks. That is why I travelled to Kyiv today with the message: You can rely on us.”

He added: “Germany’s security also depends on the outcome of this war. That’s why we are helping out of our own self‑interest as well.”

The first Russian strike on the Northern Bridge took place on Saturday, injuring two people and damaging the road surface and overhead trolleybus wires, Klitschko said.

Previously, the Pivdennyi (Southern) Bridge was hit multiple times by Russian drones.

Russia said its drones had hit the two bridges used to transfer Ukrainian troops and military cargo, warning foreign citizens and diplomats to leave Kyiv.

Experts say repeated drone attacks are unlikely to bring down the bridges but will force their closure and risk weakening their structures.

The Pivdennyi and Pivnichnyi bridges across the Dnipro River link the western and eastern parts of the capital and were not hit before Thursday.

Russia launched its full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, citing Ukraine’s strikes on Russian energy facilities as justification for its assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure.