Russia hits Kyiv bridge as Germany’s Merz visits Ukraine’s capital

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Russia struck a bridge in Kyiv on Sunday as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital for an unannounced visit and talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit took place amid air raid sirens and explosions, underscoring the security pressure on Kyiv as Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continue.

According to the report, the strike hit the Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River and also damaged a road and disrupted hot water supply in the area, based on a statement from Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. It was the second bridge in the city to be hit over the weekend. Merz said in a written statement that he traveled to Kyiv to show support in the coming weeks, warning that Russia should be stopped before its war machine turns against Europe.

Merz and Zelenskyy met at the National Academy of Sciences, which was hit by a Russian drone on September 28, and Zelenskyy described life in the capital as marked by “terrible nights and days” because of the attacks. Merz was accompanied by Germany’s economy minister and business executives, and the two countries are expected to finalize cooperation on drone and weapons production. The report says Germany also planned a military aid package and funding for energy repairs, highlighting Berlin’s role as one of Kyiv’s strongest backers during the war.