KYIV, Ukraine — A Russian air strike struck Kyiv’s Northern Bridge on Sunday, October 4, 2026 sending a plume of fire and smoke into the air and tearing a hole in the critical roadway just hours after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital for an unannounced high-level visit.
Air raid sirens echoed across the city as emergency services rushed to the Northern Bridge, a vital artery spanning the Dnipro River that connects central Kyiv to its eastern residential suburbs. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed on Telegram that the explosion directly damaged the road surface, forcing authorities to temporarily halt traffic while crews assessed the destruction.
The bombardment came amid an escalating wave of Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine. Despite the near-simultaneous attack, Chancellor Merz proceeded with his planned itinerary alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the National Academy of Sciences.
The target—the Northern Bridge—is one of a few critical river crossings in Kyiv. While engineers noted that the massive concrete infrastructure remains structurally sound, the missile or drone impact blasted a gap in the pavement and set vehicles ablaze nearby.
The incident marks the second time in two days that Russian forces have targeted crossings along the Dnipro, signaling a deliberate effort by Moscow to disrupt supply lines and strain municipal infrastructure in the capital as winter approaches.
"If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us," Merz stated shortly after his arrival. "I traveled to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks."
The visit, which brought top executives from German defense manufacturers alongside Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, underlines Berlin's strategic role as one of Ukraine's primary European military suppliers.
Speaking alongside President Zelensky against the backdrop of emergency sirens, Chancellor Merz reassured Ukrainian officials that Germany's backing remains unwavering. The new military package is expected to focus on strengthening air defense networks—a direct counter to the heavy drone barrages that continue to target Ukrainian cities.
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