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Russian drone attacks have struck major bridges in Kyiv for four consecutive days, marking an intensifying campaign against critical infrastructure in Ukraine's capital, according to officials and verified footage. The sustained assaults have targeted key river crossings that serve as vital arteries for the city's estimated three million residents, creating significant disruptions to daily life and raising concerns about the resilience of Kyiv's transportation network.
The Pivnichnyi, or Northern, Bridge was hit on Sunday morning for the second consecutive day, injuring two people, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Video footage verified by the BBC captured the moment a drone crashed into the bridge before exploding, sending a ball of fire and a cloud of black smoke rising above the structure. Images circulating on social media showed a gaping hole torn through the middle of a traffic lane, underscoring the physical damage inflicted on the crossing.
The Pivdennyi, or Southern, Bridge had been struck multiple times earlier in the week, according to the source material. Both bridges remain standing despite the attacks, but the damage and subsequent restrictions on traffic and public transport have caused gridlock in parts of the capital at various times. The two structures represent critical links in Kyiv's transportation infrastructure, and their partial incapacitation has reverberated across the city.
Kyiv's eight bridges spanning the wide Dnipro River connect the western right bank to the eastern left bank, forming essential conduits for the capital's residents. Approximately 500,000 vehicles use these bridges every day, and many of the city's three million residents depend heavily on metro lines and trains to traverse the city. The disruption caused by the strikes has therefore affected a substantial portion of the population, particularly those who commute across the river on weekdays.
The human impact of the strikes was evident in the frustration expressed by residents. Roman, a Kyiv resident, described the situation to the BBC on Sunday, saying that traveling from the left bank to the right bank and back had become "just hell." His comment reflects the broader strain on civilians who must navigate a city where key infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted and partially disabled.
In response to the damage, repair teams are working to restore the bridges, and officials say they are planning temporary alternatives, including pontoon bridges, ferry services, and even a tunnel under the river to keep Kyiv connected. These contingency measures highlight the seriousness with which authorities are treating the threat to the city's connectivity and the potential for further strikes.
Russia's military has stated it would be intensifying strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions, according to the source material. It earlier claimed to have hit the two bridges used to transfer Ukrainian troops, framing the attacks as targeting military logistics rather than civilian infrastructure. The strikes are part of a broader pattern of attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine's capital, suggesting a strategic focus on disrupting both military movement and civilian life.
Beyond the bridge strikes, Klitschko reported that a separate Russian drone strike had damaged a heating main, resulting in a temporary lack of hot water in the north-eastern Desnyanskyi district. This detail adds to the mounting pressures on Kyiv's residents as winter approaches, with energy infrastructure emerging as a particular vulnerability.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday morning that Russian drones had also attacked a warehouse in the north-eastern region of Sumy, killing one person. In the central city of Dnipro, six people were injured after a communications facility was struck, he added. These attacks indicate that the Russian campaign extends well beyond the capital, affecting multiple regions across the country.
Ukraine's Air Force reported that overnight Russia had launched 135 drones, including 52 jet-powered ones, and that 125 projectiles had been shot down. The sheer volume of drones deployed in a single night illustrates the scale of the aerial assault and the ongoing challenge facing Ukraine's air defense systems.
The latest attack on Kyiv coincided with a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who traveled to demonstrate support against Russia's continuing full-scale invasion. During his visit, Merz and Zelensky laid wreaths to Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war and visited the main building of Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences, which had been badly damaged by a Russian drone strike earlier in the week. Fresh air alert sirens were heard across the city as the two leaders toured the damaged facility, where two people had been killed in the earlier attack.
Merz reaffirmed Germany's commitment to Ukraine, writing on X that the country faces "decisive weeks" and that his message was: "You can rely on us." He added that Germany's own security depends on the outcome of the war, stating that Berlin is helping out of self-interest as well. Since becoming chancellor in May 2025, Merz has positioned Germany as the single largest donor to Ukraine.
Zelensky announced that a new aid package worth more than €1.3bn, equivalent to about £1.1bn or $1.5bn, had been agreed with Germany. He said the package includes weapons that will help Ukraine immediately, as well as support for the energy sector ahead of winter. The timing of the aid is significant, as Ukraine prepares for colder months during which energy infrastructure is likely to face continued targeting. Zelensky also said there would be "important agreements" made between Ukraine and Germany, and he has repeatedly appealed for Western allies to provide more military support.
Merz emphasized that Ukraine "needs all our support in the coming weeks," warning that if Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against Germany and other nations. His remarks reflect a growing sense among European leaders that the conflict carries implications beyond Ukraine's borders. The combination of intensified Russian strikes on Kyiv's critical infrastructure and Germany's renewed pledge of support underscores the high stakes as the war continues into another winter.
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