Kyiv erupts in flames as Russian strikes intensify

Russian strikes intensified on Sunday, killing one person and injuring six others in Kharkiv, while a drone attack hit a crucial bridge in Kyiv, sending a massive fireball and thick smoke into the sky. The Northern Bridge, a key crossing over the Dnipro River, was struck, allowing traffic to continue despite the damage.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that two individuals were injured in the strike, while Ukrainian officials warned that ongoing attacks on the city's bridges could disrupt vital transportation routes and split Kyiv in two. The river separates the capital, with government institutions and businesses on the right bank and residential areas on the left.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv amid air raid sirens and explosions, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He emphasized the need for support for Ukraine in the coming weeks, warning that Russia's war machine could eventually turn against Europe if not stopped.

Ukrainian officials stated that attacks on the capital's bridges could have severe consequences, and the government plans to construct alternative crossings if the assaults persist. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would intensify strikes on Russian oil refineries in response to Moscow's attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, potentially leading to further escalation between the two sides.