Kyiv bridge hit in further Russian drone attack as German chancellor makes surprise visit

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1. 1h ago

   Russian Drones Strike Kyiv Bridge During German Chancellor Visit

   A Russian drone struck the Northern Bridge in Kyiv on Sunday, triggering a large fireball and disrupting traffic as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital on an unannounced visit. The attack coincides with air raid sirens and active air defense systems across the city. This strike follows an escalation in Russian operations targeting Kyiv crossings over consecutive days, including jet-powered drones that previously forced the closure of the Southern Bridge. Two of the eight Dnipro River crossings joining the halves of Kyiv are now disrupted, straining local logistics.

   Why it matters

   The recent shift toward targeting Kyiv bridges represents a new challenge for the city's transport infrastructure. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to Ukraine to demonstrate European backing amid an upsurge in Russian strikes. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also reportedly preparing a mass military mobilization.

   What is confirmed

   • A Russian drone struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge on Sunday, causing a fiery explosion as vehicles were moving across it.
   • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit amid air raid sirens, explosions, and active air defense systems.
   • The strike on the Northern Bridge and a previous closure of the Southern Bridge mean two of the eight Dnipro crossings joining Kyiv's halves are disrupted.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly preparing a mass military mobilization.

   What to watch next

   • Assessments of structural damage to the Northern Bridge
   • Further statements from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding aid commitments
   • Updates on the status of Kyiv's remaining Dnipro River crossings
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. www.theguardian.com — Ukraine war briefing: Moscow hammers Kyiv as Zelenskyy urges ...
   2. The New York Times — Russia Turns to Striking Kyiv’s Bridges, Threatening a Vital Lifeline
   3. AP News — Russian attacks kill 6 in Ukraine and damage Kyiv’s Northern Bridge
   4. BBC — Kyiv bridges hit for fourth day as German chancellor visits capital
   5. CNN — Russian drone slams into bridge in Kyiv as Germany’s chancellor visits
   6. www.cnn.com — Russian drone slams into Kyiv bridge in escalating campaign ...
   7. Reuters — Russia says it hit Kyiv bridge, two vessels in Black Sea
   8. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Video: Russian drone strike sets Kyiv bridge ablaze as Merz arrives to sirens and explosions
   9. www.bbc.com — Kyiv bridge hit in further Russian drone attack as German chancellor makes surprise visit
   10. www.timesnownews.com — Russian Drone Hits Kyiv Bridge, Air Raid Sirens Blare During German Chancellor's Visit | WATCH VIDEOS
   11. www.aljazeera.com — Russia hits Kyiv bridge as Germany’s Merz visits Ukraine’s capital | Russia-Ukraine war News
   12. www.theguardian.com — Russia strikes Kyiv bridge as German chancellor visits Ukraine in show of support
   confidence 95%