A major bridge in Kyiv has been targeted by Russian strikes for the second day in a row. The Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge was hit on Sunday morning, a day after it was first struck by drones in an attack that damaged the road surface and caused traffic disruption.
Kyiv Major Vitali Klitschko stated that Sunday's strike also damaged a heating main, which will result in a temporary lack of hot water in the north-eastern Desnyanskyi district. Unverified video footage reportedly shows a drone crashing into the bridge before exploding.
The strikes coincided with a surprise visit to Kyiv by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz reaffirmed Germany's support for Ukraine and pledged further assistance to bolster Ukrainian air defences, stating on X that "Ukraine is facing decisive weeks. That is why I travelled to Kyiv today with the message: You can rely on us."
Major bridges in Kyiv have been targeted over the past four days, with the Pivdennyi (Southern) Bridge also hit multiple times by Russian drones recently. Russia has stated its drones hit bridges used to transfer Ukrainian troops and military cargo, and has repeated a warning for foreign citizens to leave Kyiv.