Three of Kyiv’s six Dnipro road bridges closed this week
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Saturday for an unannounced visit, and Russia’s North Bridge was struck shortly after his arrival, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed. The bridge — one of several connecting central historic Kyiv to residential suburbs across the Dnipro river — was hit on its road surface, and emergency services were dispatched to the scene. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Klitschko wrote on Telegram: “Impact on the road surface of the Northern Bridge. Emergency services are heading to the scene.” Pictures and footage shared online appear to show a missile striking the cable bridge and the resulting fireball explosion.
The North Bridge strike follows Russian attacks on Kyiv’s South Bridge on Friday and Saturday. Earlier in the week, three of the city’s six road bridges over the Dnipro had been shut by Russian strikes. The North Bridge is among the six crossings.
The strike came as Kyiv — which was largely spared direct aerial strikes in the first years of the war — has come under intensifying attack since April. The Russians have launched strikes day and night, hitting schools, petrol stations, government buildings and churches, as well as rail and communication infrastructure.
Merz’s unannounced visit placed the German chancellor in the capital during the ongoing bombardment. The chancellor’s arrival and the bridge strike occurred on the same day, with Merz in Kyiv as Russian strikes continued.