Russian Strike Hits Kyiv Bridge as Germany's Merz VisitsKyiv bridge struck
as Merz visits
Huge fireball

Russian forces struck one of Kyiv’s main bridges on Sunday, causing a fireball explosion as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the city, the Daily Mirror reports. The Northern Bridge was reportedly hit by a new jet-powered, long-range attack drone.

Images show drivers navigating flames and blast craters after the explosion. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed emergency services had deployed to the scene, halting traffic toward Kyiv’s right bank. It was the second strike in two days on the Northern Bridge.

Russia has until now mostly not struck when senior Western leaders or officials have been in Kyiv, according to the Mirror. Merz arrived by train despite a warning from the Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday for Westerners to avoid travelling to Ukraine.

“If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us,” Merz said, adding that he told President Volodymyr Zelensky: “You can continue to count on our help.”