Russian Airstrike Hits Bridge in Kyiv During German Chancellor's Visit

The mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said via the Telegram app on Sunday that a Russian airstrike targeted the northern bridge in the city, coinciding with the arrival of German advisor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv to show support for President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Klitschko added that the strike hit the surface of the bridge, which had also been attacked on Saturday.

Earlier, Russia announced on Saturday that it would continue to carry out targeted attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, urging foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the capital, following the targeting of two major bridges connecting western and eastern Kyiv, which disrupted traffic for cars, trains, and trolleybuses.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "In response to the terrorist acts committed by the Ukrainian armed forces against civilians and civilian infrastructure in our country, the armed forces of the Russian Federation will continue to carry out targeted and systematic strikes on military facilities in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities."

It added: "The Russian Foreign Ministry once again warns foreign nationals, including diplomatic mission staff, against staying in Ukraine or traveling to its territory."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, accompanied by executives from German defense companies, in a show of support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities escalate.

German government officials stated that Merz will announce a package of measures including military aid worth one billion euros and 350 million euros for repairing the energy sector. The visit is also expected to finalize an agreement for the joint production of various types of drones.

Merz said, "I traveled to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks," pointing out that Russian forces are shelling towns, residential buildings, and heating stations.

Recently, Russia has intensified its attacks on infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital. Klitschko reported that an attack on Saturday morning resulted in two injuries and damaged the road surface and overhead trolleybus wires on the "Pivnichny" (Northern) bridge, causing traffic jams, according to the BBC.

The attack came after the "Pivdenny" (Southern) bridge was targeted by Russian drones several times during the week, prompting Klitschko to warn that "the enemy is tearing Kyiv apart," as he put it.

Russia announced on Saturday that it will continue to carry out targeted attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, urging foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the capital.

Russia stated that its drones targeted the bridges for their use in transporting Ukrainian troops and military shipments.

The two bridges, which cross the Dnipro River, connect the western and eastern parts of the capital and had never been targeted before Thursday.

The Russian strikes have disrupted the movement of cars, trains, and trolleybuses across the river, while ongoing threats of drone attacks have imposed restrictions on other routes, causing traffic jams for the second consecutive day, although less severe than the congestion experienced in the city on Friday.