Russia hits Kyiv bridge again as German chancellor visits in solidarity show

A Russian drone struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River just as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz landed in the capital for an unannounced visit meant to signal Berlin's continued backing of Ukraine. It was the fourth consecutive day Russian forces have targeted bridges relied on by thousands of residents crossing the river daily. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were hurt in the attack.

The Northern Bridge had already sustained earlier damage, and the Southern Bridge has been struck repeatedly as well. Although both crossings remain standing, the risk of further attacks has pushed city authorities to restrict or halt traffic on five of Kyiv's six road bridges over the Dnipro, triggering heavy congestion.

'Pointlessness of this war'

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Merz that residents were enduring relentless "terrible nights and days," describing Russia's forces as "absolute barbarians." Merz said the bridge strikes illustrated the war's futility and warned that if Russia is not stopped, its military machine will eventually threaten other countries as well.

Germany has overtaken the United States as Ukraine's largest supplier of military assistance since Merz took office in May 2025, as American support has waned. This marked his second trip to Ukraine as chancellor.

The bridge attacks form part of a wider Russian campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure, which in recent weeks has hit logistics hubs, rail lines, data centres, medical storage sites and steel plants, alongside an intensifying assault on the energy grid ahead of winter.

Russia's foreign ministry has warned foreign nationals and diplomats against staying in or travelling to Ukraine, saying responsibility for any consequences would fall on those who ignore the warning. Several ambassadors, including Germany's, publicly said they would remain in Kyiv regardless.

Merz is facing rising domestic criticism over his Ukraine policy as his approval ratings slide. Germany's far-left and far-right parties oppose continued aid, and the far-right Alternative for Germany has seized on the visit, pointing to the country's energy crisis and strained public finances as reasons to scale back support.