Russian drone slams into major bridge in Kyiv as Germany’s chancellor visits

By Svitlana Vlasova and Sophie Tanno, CNN

(CNN) — A Russian drone struck a major bridge in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Sunday as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the city in a display of support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Video footage showed the moment the city’s Northern Bridge was attacked, sparking a huge plume of fire and black smoke while cars were still traveling across. Two people were injured in the attack, the city’s mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko said.

Russia has been escalating its campaign against Ukraine’s capital and it is the second time the Northern Bridge has been hit in as many days. On Thursday and Friday, Kyiv’s Southern Bridge, which serves ground transportation and the city’s subway system, was hit five times in less than 24 hours.

Sunday’s attack comes as 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 a Russian onslaught of attacks.

“Ukraine is facing decisive weeks ahead,” Merz wrote on X Saturday. “Therefore I have traveled to Kyiv today with the message: You can rely on us.”

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 Ukraine’s damaged energy infrastructure, German government officials said.

Zelensky has warned that Ukraine’s defensive need is expanding amid Russia’s escalating air campaign, which has seen Moscow fire high-speed, jet-powered Shahed-type drones which can bypass Ukraine’s traditional air defenses.

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