Kyiv bridge hit in further Russian drone attack as German chancellor makes surprise visit

On Sunday, Russian drone strikes struck the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge in Kyiv for the second consecutive day, following an attack on Saturday that injured two people and damaged the road surface. The strikes have damaged critical infrastructure in the city, causing traffic disruption and a temporary lack of hot water in the Desnyanskyi district. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported the strike on Telegram, stating that emergency services were en route to the scene.

In response to the strikes, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made an unexpected visit to Kyiv to reaffirm Germany's support for Ukraine and to pledge further assistance in bolstering Ukrainian air defenses. Merz emphasized that Germany's own security depended on the outcome of the war, stating that Germany was helping out of self-interest as well.

He wrote on X: "Ukraine is facing decisive weeks. That is why I travelled to Kyiv today with the message: You can rely on us. Germany's security also depends on the outcome of this war. That is why we are helping out of our own self-interest as well."

The Northern and Southern Bridges across the Dnipro River are crucial links between the western and eastern parts of the capital, having been struck by Russian drones just days before. Russia claimed its drones targeted the bridges to transfer Ukrainian troops and military cargo, while warning foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave Kyiv.

The repeated attacks on the bridges have raised concerns about their structural integrity, as experts suggest that while individual drone strikes are unlikely to bring down the bridges, repeated attacks could force their closure and weaken their structure.