Merz Arrives in Kyiv Amid Drone Strike on Northern Bridge

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz landed in Kyiv on Sunday as the city’s air‑raid sirens wailed and explosions rattled the capital. A Russian drone had just slammed into the Northern Bridge, sending a plume of fire and black smoke over the traffic still crossing the span. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported two people injured in the attack.

This is the second time the Northern Bridge has been hit in as many days. Earlier in the week, Kyiv’s Southern Bridge – a key artery for both road traffic and the subway – was struck five times in less than 24 hours.

Ukrainian officials say the strikes are part of a strategy to split the city along the Dnipro River, which divides business and government on the right bank from largely residential areas on the left. In response, Kyiv’s infrastructure ministry announced plans to construct several new crossings over the river should the attacks continue.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence claims the bridge is used to move Ukrainian troops and supplies, and on Saturday it also said it had targeted a logistics centre in the Kyiv region.

Merz was accompanied by Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katarina Reiche, despite Russian warnings that foreign visitors were not safe amid the ongoing onslaught.

The visit comes as Zelensky and Merz work to finalize a defense and industrial partnership that will see Germany produce drones and missiles for Ukraine. Berlin is expected to release €1 billion ($1.13 billion) in military aid and €350 million ($390 million) for repairs to Ukraine’s damaged energy infrastructure.

Zelensky has warned that Ukraine’s defensive needs are expanding as Russia ramps up its air campaign, deploying high‑speed Shahed‑type drones that can evade many of Ukraine’s air‑defence systems. Merz, speaking on X, said Ukraine is facing “decisive weeks ahead” and that “you can rely on us.”

In a statement, Moscow’s ministry said it would intensify strikes on military and industrial facilities in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine, signalling no immediate respite for the city’s three million residents.