A Russian strike hit a key bridge in Kyiv on Sunday just as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital for an unannounced visit with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack, which occurred amid air raid sirens and explosions, targeted the Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River, damaging the structure, a nearby road, and local hot water supplies, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Merz stated he traveled to Kyiv to demonstrate that Ukraine requires unwavering support in the coming weeks. “If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us,” Merz said in a written statement. His delegation included Economy Minister Robert Habeck and executives from major German firms such as Siemens Energy and Diehl Defence.
The two leaders met at the National Academy of Sciences, a site previously struck by a Russian drone on September 28. Zelenskyy told Merz that Kyiv residents are enduring “terrible nights and days” due to intensified Russian offensives. The bridge bombing marks the second time a bridge in the capital has been hit this weekend.
Ukraine and Germany are expected to finalize an agreement for joint production of drones and other weapons capable of traveling more than 600 miles (965.6 km), aimed at striking deeper into Russian territory. This follows a $4 billion military pact signed in April. On Sunday, Germany announced a new $1.1 billion military aid package, along with $394 million to repair damage to Ukraine’s energy sector.
The visit follows a warning from Moscow on Saturday urging foreign diplomats and nationals to leave the capital. Russia’s Ministry of Defence had also pledged to intensify strikes after Zelenskyy told Reuters that Ukraine is doubling its attacks on Russian oil refineries following weekend casualties among civilians.
As the war enters its fifth year, both sides have increased drone and missile campaigns targeting infrastructure, logistics, and military sites across the country.
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