Kyiv’s Pivnichnyi Bridge Hit Again as German Chancellor Visits

Sun Oct 04 2026 09:49:59 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Northern Bridge in Kyiv suffered a second drone strike while Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived, underscoring the escalating tensions.

Kyiv’s Pivnichnyi Bridge was struck a second time by Russian drones, damaging the road surface, trolleybus wires and heating mains. Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned residents of a temporary loss of hot water in the Desnyanskyi district. The attack happened the same day German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived by train, pledging continued support for Ukraine. Russian drones have also targeted the Pivdennyi Bridge, raising concerns of structural damage from repeated hits. Ukraine’s defence council has called the situation “very dramatic”, stressing the importance of protecting critical infrastructure.

Kyiv’s Pivnichnyi Bridge Hit Again as German Chancellor Visits

Technicians repair trolleybus power lines that were damaged following an attack on the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge in Kyiv — Technicians repair overhead trolleybus power lines that were damaged following an attack on the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge in Kyiv.

Kyiv’s pivotal Pivnichnyi Bridge suffered a drone strike Sunday morning, marking the second consecutive day of attacks on the capital’s key infrastructure.

The Pivnichnyi Bridge, linking the city’s eastern and western districts, was hit again only a day after a drone damaged the road surface and overhead trolleybus wires, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

The strike also damaged a heating main, meaning residents of the north‑eastern Desnyanskyi district will temporarily lose hot water.

Russian drones have targeted the bridge and its counterpart, the Pivdennyi Bridge, in a series of attacks that the Kremlin says hit military logistics but have forced repeated closures, weakening the structures over time.

While emergency crews responded, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv by train, issuing a statement on X that the war had reached “decisive weeks” and that Germany will continue to support Ukraine.

Merz highlighted that Germany’s security is tied to the conflict’s outcome, stressing a partnership “out of self‑interest” as well as solidarity.

Friedrich Merz standing in front of a train in Kyiv — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv by train, greeting locals and diplomats.

The Ukrainian defence council convened a crisis meeting after the dual bridge strikes, warning that the city has entered a “very dramatic situation” as Moscow targets critical infrastructure, logistics, and housing.

Experts warn that while a single drone is unlikely to collapse the bridges, repeated attacks risk structural damage and eventual closure.

Russia’s narrative cites Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities as justification for the drone campaign, though it was Ukraine that first launched large‑scale aerial attacks in 2022.