German Chancellor Merz Slams Russian Drone Attacks on Kyiv Bridges Amid Surprise Visit

Major bridges in Kyiv have been targeted by Russian strikes for the second day in a row. Coinciding with a surprise visit from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The Pivnichnyi Bridge, which connects the western and eastern parts of the capital, was hit on Sunday morning.

This marks the second time the bridge has been targeted by Russian drones. This comes after an attack on Saturday that damaged the road surface and overhead trolleybus wires. The first strike occurred just days before, when the Pivdennyi Bridge was hit multiple times by Russian drones.

According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, Sunday's strike had also damaged a heating main. This will result in a temporary lack of hot water in the north-eastern Desnyanskyi district.

Klitschko reported the incident on Telegram, stating that emergency services are on their way to the scene.

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As emergency services responded to the incident, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed his country's support for Ukraine and pledged further assistance to bolster Ukrainian air defences. Merz's visit comes amid a surge in Russian strikes on major bridges in Kyiv, with the Pivnichnyi Bridge being the latest target.

The Chancellor's message was clear: Ukraine is facing decisive weeks, and we will stand by them.

The first Russian strike on the Northern Bridge took place on Saturday. Injuring two people and causing significant damage to the road surface and overhead trolleybus wires. The Pivnichnyi and Pivdennyi bridges, which span the Dnipro River, have not been targeted before.

However, their repeated attacks have raised concerns about their structural integrity.

As the conflict in Ukraine rages on, Russian drone attacks on key infrastructure are taking a toll on the nation's bridges. Experts warn that while the drones may not be able to bring them down. Repeated strikes could compromise their structural integrity, rendering them unusable.

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Since Russia's 2022 invasion, the country has witnessed a surge in targeted strikes on major bridges, highlighting the ongoing volatility of the situation.

As the situation in Kyiv continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the repeated attacks on major bridges are a significant concern for the city's residents and authorities. The long-term impact of these attacks on the city's infrastructure and economy is still unknown.

However, one thing is certain: the people of Ukraine will need continued support from the international community to navigate this challenging situation.