Russia Strikes Kyiv Bridges Again Amid German Chancellor’s Visit
Russian forces hit Ukraine’s key bridges in Kyiv for a second straight day, further disrupting the capital’s lifelines as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits the city.
The Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge was struck on Monday, the same strip of pavement that the Pivdennyi (Southern) Bridge suffered multiple drone hits earlier this week. The latest blow came just hours after Merz’s arrival, drawing attention to the escalating violence at a diplomatic high point.
BBC Ukraine correspondent Dan Johnson stood at the edge of the damaged bridge, explaining that the blasts have knocked out power feeds, damaged traffic lights and sealed off the crossings for several hours. “We’re seeing a complete halt in east‑west traffic,” Johnson said, pointing to the wide ditch that sprawls across the roadway.
The attacks compromise not just civilian transit but also critical customs flow, emergency services and the ability of officials to move between government centres. Kyiv authorities have called for emergency repairs and have set up a temporary bridge service to mitigate the disruption.
International observers worry that continued strikes could cripple Kyiv’s connectivity, turning the city into a kind of isolated theatre. Analysts note that controlling the bridge infrastructure remains a strategic objective for the Russian military and a symbolic target of the Ukrainian resistance.
