German chancellor visits Kyiv as Russia strikes key bridge

Russia struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge with a drone on Sunday as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital for an unannounced visit, injuring two people and marking the fourth consecutive day of attacks on the city's bridges. The strike occurred shortly after Merz's arrival, with video showing the drone exploding on the roadway as cars crossed. Germany has become Ukraine's largest military aid provider since Merz took office in May 2025, surpassing the US, and Kyiv faces near-constant attacks from Russian jet-powered drones threatening winter power supplies. The attack is part of a broader Russian campaign against civilian and industrial infrastructure, including energy systems and logistics hubs. Russia warned foreign nationals to leave Ukraine, though ambassadors including Germany's said they would stay, while Merz faces domestic criticism over aid spending from opposition parties.