Russian drone attacks have struck major bridges in Kyiv for a fourth consecutive day, underscoring Moscow's escalating campaign against critical infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital. On Sunday morning, the Pivnichnyi, or Northern, Bridge was hit for the second day in a row, injuring two people, while the Pivdennyi, or Southern, Bridge had already been struck multiple times earlier in the week.
The timing of the latest strike coincided with a surprise visit to Kyiv by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who traveled to the Ukrainian capital to demonstrate solidarity as Russia's full-scale invasion continues. His visit was intended as a visible show of backing for Ukraine at a moment when the country faces intense pressure on multiple fronts.
Russia's military has stated it will intensify strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions. It previously claimed responsibility for hitting the two bridges, describing them as routes used to move Ukrainian troops. The strikes are part of a broader pattern of attacks on infrastructure that both sides view as strategically significant.
Video footage of Sunday's strike, verified by the BBC, captured the moment a drone slammed into the Pivnichnyi Bridge as cars were moving across it, triggering an explosion and a ball of fire. A plume of black smoke was visible rising above the structure. Other videos and photographs circulating on social media showed a large hole torn into the middle of one of the bridge's traffic lanes.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that two people were injured in the attack and said the bridge's roadway had been damaged. The strike left a gaping hole in one of the traffic lanes, according to images published by news agencies.
The damage is particularly significant because Kyiv's eight bridges spanning the wide Dnipro River serve as vital links between the western and eastern halves of the city. An estimated three million residents rely heavily on the metro lines and trains that cross the river, and approximately 500,000 vehicles use the bridges every day.
Although both struck bridges remain standing, the damage and the resulting restrictions on traffic and public transport have caused gridlock in parts of the capital at various times. One Kyiv resident, Roman, described the situation to the BBC on Sunday, saying that traveling from the left bank to the right bank and back had become "just hell."
Large numbers of commuters cross the river daily, particularly on weekdays, making the disruptions especially disruptive to everyday life. Repair teams are working to fix the damage, and officials say they are planning temporary solutions, including pontoon bridges, ferry services and even a tunnel beneath the river, to keep the city connected.
Klitschko also reported that a separate Russian drone strike had damaged a heating main, which he said would lead to a temporary loss of hot water in the north-eastern Desnyanskyi district. The strike on the heating infrastructure adds to concerns about the resilience of Kyiv's utilities as colder weather approaches.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday morning that Russian drones had also attacked a warehouse in the north-eastern region of Sumy, killing one person. In the central city of Dnipro, six people were injured after a communications facility was struck, he added.
Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia had launched 135 drones overnight, including 52 jet-powered ones, and that 125 projectiles had been shot down. The figures illustrate the scale of the overnight assault and the pressure on Ukraine's air defenses.
Amid the emergency response, Merz met with Zelensky in Kyiv, where the two leaders laid wreaths honoring Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war. Merz reaffirmed Germany's support for Ukraine, writing on X that the country faces "decisive weeks" and that he traveled to Kyiv with the message: "You can rely on us."
The German chancellor also linked his country's own security to the outcome of the war, saying that Germany is helping Ukraine out of self-interest as well. "If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us," he warned.
Zelensky later announced that a new aid package worth more than €1.3bn, equivalent to about £1.1bn or $1.5bn, had been agreed with Germany. He said the package included weapons that would help Ukraine immediately, as well as support for the country's energy sector ahead of winter.
The two leaders visited the main building of Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences, which was badly damaged in a Russian drone strike earlier this week. That attack killed two people. As Merz toured the damaged site, fresh air alert sirens sounded across the city, a stark reminder of the ongoing threat.
Since becoming chancellor in May 2025, Merz has overseen Germany's emergence as the single largest donor to Ukraine. He said the country needs "all our support in the coming weeks," reinforcing his message of sustained backing.
Zelensky said there would be "important agreements" reached between Ukraine and Germany. The Ukrainian president has repeatedly appealed to Western allies for more military support as his country continues to defend itself against Russia's invasion.
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