In brief
In a four‑day burst of assaults, Russian forces targeted Kyiv’s key bridges, striking the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge for a second day in a row and the Pivdennyi (Southern) Bridge multiple times earlier in the week. The latest strike occurred just as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv, raising concerns over Ukraine’s transport infrastructure and the wider conflict. Ukrainian correspondent Dan Johnson, present on the front lines, recounts the damage and the potential implications for the war’s next chapter.
In just over a week, the Ukrainian capital has seen a series of high‑profile strikes on its critical infrastructure. Russian forces, boosting pressure on the south‑eastern front, have been hitting the bridges that span the Dnipro River in Kyiv, the main artery that keeps the city moving.
The latest raid was directed at the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge, marking a second consecutive day of impact. Earlier this week the Pivdennyi (Southern) Bridge was struck multiple times, with Ukrainian sources reporting heavy splinter damage and fire. The bridges are not only vital to daily life but also symbolic assets in the ongoing conflict.
The latest attack came at a moment of heightened attention, as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv for a surprise visit with Ukrainian officials. The chancellor’s presence mirrored Moscow’s attempt to signal power, even as Kyiv braces for continued strikes.
Dan Johnson, BBC’s Ukraine correspondent, was on the front lines near one of the bridges when the damage was first reported. He explains that each hit further complicates logistics across the city and raises questions about how long such assaults can be sustained before Ukrainian defenses adapt.
