Russian drone slams Kyiv's Northern Bridge as Germany's Merz makes surprise visit

Kyiv, October 4 — A Russian drone struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge (Pivnichnyi) on Sunday shortly after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital on an unannounced visit; video showed a fireball and black smoke rising as cars were still crossing, and Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were injured. It was the second consecutive day the bridge was hit; the Southern Bridge was struck five times in under 24 hours on Thursday and Friday. Merz, joined by Economy Minister Katarina Reiche, will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky; German government sources said Berlin is expected to announce €1 billion ($1.13 billion) in military aid and €350 million ($390 million) for energy-infrastructure repairs. Russia on Saturday warned foreigners and diplomats to leave Kyiv ahead of "massive" new airstrikes.

Source: CNN, October 4, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/04/europe/russian-drone-kyiv-merz-ukraine?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_meta