Kyiv bridge hit in further Russian drone attack as German chancellor makes surprise visit

BERLIN, 5 OCTOBER 2026 —

Kyiv’s Bridges Under Siege: Russian Drone Strikes Disrupt Capital as Germany Pledges €1.3 Billion in Aid Amid Escalating War

The latest strike underscores Russia’s shifting strategy, with Moscow escalating attacks on Kyiv’s bridges—a lifeline for the city’s 3 million residents—while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns of "decisive weeks" in the war. The Russian military has explicitly stated its intent to intensify strikes on Kyiv and other regions, framing the offensive as retaliation for Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian oil refineries.

With the Pivnichnyi and Pivdennyi (Southern) Bridges already damaged in previous days, experts warn that sustained drone assaults risk structural failure, forcing closures that could paralyze the capital’s already strained logistics.

Footage verified by the BBC shows the moment a drone slammed into the Pivnichnyi Bridge, sending a plume of black smoke into the air and leaving a gaping hole in the roadway. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the incident, stating that two individuals were injured in the blast. Earlier in the week, the Pivdennyi Bridge had been hit multiple times, prompting the city’s defense council to convene an emergency meeting on Friday.

Klitschko described the situation as "very dramatic," highlighting Moscow’s relentless targeting of "critical infrastructure, logistics, housing, and other key facilities." The bridges, eight in total spanning the Dnipro River, handle an estimated 500,000 vehicles daily, with commuters facing gridlock as repair teams scramble to restore functionality. Temporary solutions, including pontoon bridges, ferry services, and even a proposed tunnel beneath the river, are being considered to mitigate disruptions.

The attacks extended beyond Kyiv’s bridges. Zelensky reported that Russian drones had also struck a warehouse in the northeastern Sumy region, killing one person, and damaged a heating main in the Desnyanskyi district, leaving residents without hot water. In the central city of Dnipro, six individuals were injured when a communications facility was hit.

Ukraine’s Air Force documented a massive drone barrage overnight, intercepting 125 of the 135 projectiles launched by Russia, including 52 jet-powered drones—a testament to Kyiv’s air defenses but also a sign of the relentless pressure Moscow is exerting.

Merz’s visit to Kyiv, his first since assuming the chancellorship in May 2025, carried symbolic and strategic weight. The German leader met with Zelensky, laying wreaths at a memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers before touring the Academy of Sciences building, which was severely damaged in a previous drone strike that killed two people. Merz’s message was unequivocal: "Ukraine is facing decisive weeks.

That is why I traveled to Kyiv today with the message: You can rely on us." He emphasized that Germany’s security hinges on Ukraine’s defense, stating, "If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us." The visit culminated in an agreement for a new aid package exceeding €1.3 billion, encompassing both immediate military support and critical energy sector assistance ahead of winter.

Zelensky framed the aid as vital for Ukraine’s current needs, particularly in countering Russia’s latest drone and missile threats. He reiterated his repeated calls for Western allies to provide advanced interceptors capable of neutralizing Russia’s newest jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles. The Ukrainian president’s appeals come as Russia’s defense ministry warned of escalated strikes across Ukraine in response to Zelensky’s earlier remarks about ramping up attacks on Russian oil refineries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had already justified his military’s actions as retaliatory, despite Moscow initiating strikes on energy facilities first. Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Russia has consolidated control over approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, though Kyiv’s resilience has thwarted Moscow’s attempts to seize the capital outright.

The Russian foreign ministry’s Saturday warning for foreign citizens—including diplomats—to evacuate Kyiv added another layer of tension. The European Union delegation dismissed the advisory outright, with EU ambassador Katarína Mathernová declaring on social media, "The EU Delegation is staying. Threatening us will not stop Europe’s support for Ukraine.

It only reminds us why that support matters!" German ambassador Boris Ruge echoed the sentiment, posting simply: "Amen—we’re staying." Their defiance reflects a broader Western stance: despite the risks, diplomatic and military presence in Kyiv remains unwavering, underscoring the geopolitical stakes of the conflict.

As repair crews work to restore the damaged bridges and emergency services tend to the wounded, Kyiv’s resilience is being tested like never before. The city’s ability to sustain its daily rhythm—with commuters, businesses, and critical services—hangs in the balance. While experts argue that drones alone may not collapse the bridges, the cumulative damage risks rendering them unusable, forcing a reckoning with the war’s human cost.

For now, the focus remains on the next phase: whether Germany’s €1.3 billion aid package will tip the scales in Ukraine’s favor, or if Russia’s intensified strikes will force a new calculus in the capital’s defense. One thing is certain—Kyiv’s bridges, and the people who depend on them, are at the heart of the battle.