Russian drones struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River on the day German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived unannounced in Ukraine. The attack injured two people, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
The strike marked the fourth consecutive day Russia has targeted bridges connecting the two banks of the city, which thousands of residents use for daily commutes. Video footage showed a drone detonating on the roadway as cars crossed it, engulfing the structure in fire.
Merz's visit was intended as a demonstration of German backing for Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing military operations. The timing of the Russian strike, occurring shortly after the chancellor's arrival, underscored the continued intensity of attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine's capital.
The Northern Bridge is a key transportation artery for Kyiv residents. Its repeated targeting as part of a four-day campaign against multiple bridge crossings suggests a Russian strategy to disrupt movement within the city and strain critical civilian infrastructure.
Germany's chancellor visited the capital to signal solidarity with Ukraine, though the source material does not detail the specific agenda or duration of Merz's visit.