A Russian drone struck a major bridge in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Sunday as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the city to the sound of air raid sirens, explosions and air defense systems being activated.
Merz is in Kyiv to display support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid Russias escalation of strikes on the city.
Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks, Merz said.
RELATED STORY | Strikes kill 4 in Ukraine after Moscow rejects German calls to de-escalate
Highlighting attacks on Ukraines towns, residential buildings and energy, he said: If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will turn against us.
Video footage from Sunday mornings strike showed the moment the citys Northern Bridge was attacked, sparking a huge plume of fire and black smoke while cars were still traveling across. Two people were injured, the citys mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko said.
It is the second time the Northern Bridge has been hit in as many days. On Thursday and Friday, Kyivs Southern Bridge, which serves ground transportation and the citys subway system, was hit five times in less than 24 hours.
Ukrainian officials have said that Russian strikes on the capitals infrastructure are attempting to cut the capital into two, as Kyiv is split along the Dnipro River, with businesses offices and government institutions on the right back, and the left bank mostly residential.
Kyiv plans to start building several alternative crossings over the Dnipro in case the attacks on the bridges continue, the minister of infrastructure said Sunday.
Russias defense ministry said it struck the Northern Bridge on Sunday, saying that it was targeting a route used for transporting troops and military equipment. It added that two cargo vessels carrying military equipment to the port of Odesa were struck. On Saturday the Russian Ministry of Defense said that it also targeted a logistics center in the Kyiv region.
Decisive weeks ahead
Merz visited Kyiv alongside his Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katarina Reiche, despite warnings from Russia on Saturday that foreign visitors and dignitaries to the Ukrainian capital are not safe amid an onslaught of Russian attacks.
Zelensky and Merz are tying up a significant defense and industrial partnership, which will see the two countries finalize a deal for the production of drones and missiles.
Berlin is also expected to release 1 billion ($1.13 billion) in military aid and 350 million ($390 million) for repairs to Ukraines damaged energy infrastructure, German government officials said.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Zelenskyy says Trump approved Patriot missile production in Ukraine
Zelensky has warned that Ukraines defensive need is expanding amid Russias accelerated air campaign, which has seen Moscow fire high-speed, jet-powered Shahed-type drones that can bypass some of Ukraines air defense systems and exploit its lack of interceptors.
Earlier on Sunday, Merz said that Ukraine is facing decisive weeks ahead. Writing on X, he said: I have traveled to Kyiv today with the message: You can rely on us.
Meanwhile, there appears to be no immediate respite for Kyivs three million residents, with Moscow on Sunday saying that it will only intensify its strikes targeting the capital and other cities.
Strikes by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation against military and military-industrial facilities, as well as associated infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine, will be intensified, the ministry said.
Russias renewed threat follows an interview Zelensky gave to Reuters news on Saturday, where he outlined that he plans to double down on attacks on oil refineries.
We have to respond in any way (we can). With their attacks on our energy, we have to respond on their energy. First of all, oil refiners, etc. what gives money to them for this war, Zelensky said.
His comments come despite the urging of US President Donald Trump, who recently asked Ukraine to stay away from attacks on Russias oil infrastructure, claiming it was sending global oil prices surging.
The-CNN-Wire & 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.