Russia Intensifies Drone Strikes on Kyiv Bridges as German Chancellor Visits
Russia continues its extensive drone campaign against bridges in Kyiv for the fourth consecutive day, causing massive traffic disruptions. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital to pledge a new one-billion-euro military aid package.
Russia continued its extensive campaign targeting bridges in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, deploying jet-powered drones against the Dnipro River crossings for the fourth consecutive day in an effort to disrupt supply routes and sow panic. Air raid sirens sounded multiple times on Sunday morning, and a Russian drone struck the northern bridge as vehicles were crossing, though no casualties were immediately reported.
Moscow began targeting Kyiv's bridges on Thursday, stating the objective is to sever Ukrainian military supply lines from central to eastern Ukraine. The sustained drone strikes on the southern and northern bridges have forced the partial or full closure of three of the city's six vehicle bridges, triggering severe traffic congestion across the metropolitan area of three million residents. Russian forces are utilizing new, relatively inexpensive jet-powered drones that are harder for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept due to their high speed. These weapons have also impacted residential buildings, supermarket warehouses, and data centers.
Zelenskyy Defiant Amid Russian Retaliation
In an interview with Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that his forces successfully intercept only about 60% of these drones, forcing heavy reliance on fighter jets while munitions run low. Kyiv is urgently pursuing electronic warfare solutions and expects a delivery of compact, low-cost air defense missiles designed to counter the new threat.
"If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us," warned German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during an unannounced visit to Kyiv.
Russia framed the escalation as retaliation for Ukrainian drone strikes against deep-Russian oil refineries and logistics hubs operated by e-commerce giants Wildberries and Ozon. Moscow recently urged foreign diplomats and civilians to evacuate Kyiv ahead of anticipated mass retaliatory strikes. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would double its attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, citing newly uncovered military documents detailing a harsh winter campaign planned by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
German Chancellor Visits Kyiv with Aid Package
Amid the ongoing threats, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv by train on Sunday morning, greeted by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Merz announced a new military aid package worth approximately one billion euros, specifically aimed at neutralizing Russian jet-powered drones, alongside 350 million euros for critical winter infrastructure protection.
