The Pivnichnyi Bridge in Kyiv was hit on Sunday morning for the second consecutive day, as Russian strikes on major bridges in the capital have continued for four days. The Pivdennyi Bridge was also targeted in multiple attacks earlier in the week. This latest attack coincided with a surprise visit from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Kyiv.
Russia's defense ministry announced plans to intensify strikes on Kyiv and other regions. Video footage verified by the BBC shows a drone crashing into the Pivnichnyi Bridge, resulting in an explosion and a plume of black smoke. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported the incident on Telegram, noting that the strike damaged a heating main, leading to a temporary lack of hot water in the northeastern Desnyanskyi district.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian drones also attacked a warehouse in Sumy, resulting in one fatality, and that six individuals were injured in Dnipro after a communications facility was struck.
During his visit, Chancellor Merz reaffirmed Germany's support for Ukraine, stating, "Ukraine is facing decisive weeks. That is why I travelled to Kyiv today with the message: You can rely on us." He emphasized that Germany's security is linked to the outcome of the war and that support for Ukraine is in Germany's self-interest. Since Merz took office in May 2025, Germany has become the largest donor to Ukraine.
Zelensky indicated that significant agreements would be made between Ukraine and Germany, as he has consistently called for increased military support from Western allies, including advanced interceptors to counter Russian drones.
The recent attacks on Kyiv's bridges appear to be a new strategy from Moscow. The first strike on the Pivnichnyi Bridge occurred on Saturday, injuring two people and damaging the road surface and overhead trolleybus wires. The Pivdennyi and Pivnichnyi bridges, which connect the western and eastern parts of the capital, had not been previously targeted before Thursday. Russia claimed that its drones struck the bridges, which it alleged were used for transferring Ukrainian troops and military supplies.
Russia also warned foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave Kyiv. In response, EU ambassador Katarína Mathernová stated on X that the EU Delegation would remain in Kyiv, asserting that threats would not deter European support for Ukraine. German ambassador to Ukraine, Boris Ruge, expressed agreement with Mathernová's stance.
Earlier attacks on the Pivdennyi Bridge prompted a crisis meeting of Kyiv's defense council, with Klitschko describing the situation as "very dramatic" due to the ongoing assaults on critical infrastructure. Experts suggest that while Russian drones may not be able to destroy the bridges, repeated attacks could lead to their closure and structural weakening. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that these actions are a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities, despite the initial attacks originating from Moscow. Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.