Russian drone strikes damaged Kyiv's Pivnichnyi Bridge on Sunday for a second day, injuring two people, as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived unannounced in the Ukrainian capital.
A Russian drone struck Kyiv's Pivnichnyi, or Northern, Bridge on Sunday morning, the second day in a row that the crossing was hit, BBC News reported. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were injured. BBC-verified video showed a drone hitting the bridge while cars were moving, followed by fire and smoke.
The strike extended a run of attacks on major bridges in the capital. BBC said bridges had been hit for four consecutive days. The Pivdennyi, or Southern, Bridge was struck several times earlier in the week. CNN reported that Saturday's Northern Bridge strike damaged the road and the trolleybus power supply and restricted traffic, after the Southern Bridge had been hit five times in less than 24 hours.
The two bridges across the Dnipro link the western and eastern parts of Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said the strikes were effectively cutting the capital in two. CNN noted that the left bank is largely residential and home to at least 30 percent of the city's residents. Russia's Defense Ministry said it hit bridges used to move Ukrainian troops and military cargo.
Sunday's attack came as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a surprise visit to Kyiv. BBC reported the visit as a show of support during Russia's full-scale invasion. Russia's military said it would intensify strikes on Kyiv and other regions.
Traffic on the Northern Bridge had already been restricted after Saturday's strike, and the Southern Bridge remained closed, CNN reported. No independent account on Sunday confirmed when either crossing would fully reopen.
People Sentiments Negative
- Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were injured in the latest attack on the Northern Bridge.
- Russia's military said the bridges were used to transfer Ukrainian troops and that strikes on the capital would intensify.