Air raid sirens and explosions were heard in Kyiv as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Ukraine and pledged continued support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A Russian drone struck Kyiv’s Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River shortly after Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Sunday. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were injured.
Footage showed vehicles travelling across the bridge as the drone hit the roadway, sending flames and smoke into the air. The strike was the latest in a series of attacks on bridges across the Dnipro in recent days.
Merz’s visit was intended to demonstrate Germany’s support for Ukraine as Russian attacks on Kyiv intensify. He announced further military and energy assistance, including German funding for the production of drones designed to intercept Russian jet-powered drones.
“Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks,” Merz said. “If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us,” he added.
The German chancellor also visited the National Academy of Sciences building, which was damaged in a Russian drone strike last week.
Zelenskyy said people in Kyiv were enduring “terrible nights and days” as attacks continued, and described Russia’s actions as those of “absolute barbarians”. “We can see the entire pointlessness of this war at this place,” Merz said.
Footage of a Russian attack drone slamming into the busy Pivnichnyi Bridge in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, today. https://t.co/HhZZArcHFH
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) October 4, 2026
Kyiv Bridges Targeted
The Northern Bridge has been hit repeatedly in recent days, while Kyiv’s Southern Bridge has also been targeted.
The attacks have led authorities to restrict or suspend traffic on several of Kyiv’s road bridges over the Dnipro, causing closures and traffic jams. The river divides the capital, with large residential areas on the eastern bank and much of the city’s employment and infrastructure on the western side.
Ukrainian officials have warned that continued attacks on the crossings could cause major disruption to the city.
The bridge strikes are part of a wider Russian campaign targeting infrastructure across Ukraine. Recent attacks have hit transport and logistics facilities, industrial sites and energy infrastructure, while Kyiv faces concerns about its ability to maintain power supplies through the winter.
Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin was relying on continued escalation. “He wants this very much,” he said. “This is an answer to everyone – to those who believe that all you have to do is simply ask Putin and he will end the war for real. It won’t happen, simply.”
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has warned foreign nationals and diplomatic staff against travelling to Ukraine, saying it would continue its attacks. “Responsibility for any possible adverse consequences lies entirely with those who choose to disregard this warning,” the ministry said.
The EU ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová, said on social media that the EU delegation would remain in Kyiv. “The EU delegation is staying,” she wrote. “Threatening us will not stop Europe’s support for Ukraine. It only reminds us why that support matters.”
Merz, who became chancellor in May 2025, has made support for Ukraine a central part of Germany’s foreign and security policy. This was his second visit to Ukraine since taking office.
The German government has announced more than €1.3bn in additional support, including military assistance and funding for energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
