Europe Today: Russia hits Kyiv as Merz visits; Bolsonaro wins Brazil's first round election

A Russian drone struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge on Sunday, causing a massive fireball to erupt on the crucial Dnipro crossing while vehicles were still in motion. Two individuals were injured, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, as reported by CNN. The attack unfolded as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv, joining economic affairs and energy minister Katarina Reiche to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the midst of escalating Russian assaults on the city.

Merz emphasized that Ukraine requires unwavering support over the coming weeks, warning that if Russia is not halted, its war machine may eventually turn its aggression towards Europe.

The Northern Bridge was struck for the second consecutive day, following the earlier bombing of Kyiv's Southern Bridge, which carries both road traffic and the city's subway system. This incident marked the fifth assault on the Southern Bridge within a single day. Ukrainian officials have expressed grave concerns that repeated attacks on bridges could sever vital transport links across the Dnipro River, effectively dividing the capital city.

Kyiv, bisected by the river, houses government institutions and businesses predominantly on the right bank and predominantly residential neighborhoods on the left bank.

In response to these ongoing bridge attacks, the Ukrainian infrastructure minister announced plans to construct several alternative crossings over the Dnipro River if the assaults persist. The situation escalated further after Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would intensify its attacks on Russian oil refineries in retaliation for Moscow's strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.