Russia Steps Up Attacks on Kyiv, Drones Explode on Bridges

Russia has intensified its attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, in recent days. Since Thursday, Russia has repeatedly targeted bridges over the Dnipro River, causing massive traffic jams across the Ukrainian capital. Today (Sunday), one of the major bridges was damaged, and several civilians were lightly to moderately injured.

Kyiv’s city government said that "the situation is dramatic. The Russian military is using cheap, fast jet drones that Kyiv is struggling to intercept." The Russians, for their part, issued a warning to diplomats and civilians: "Leave the city; more retaliatory attacks are on the way." In addition to the bridges, gas lines, major power lines, and drinking-water supply pipelines were hit. Residential buildings, supermarket warehouses, gas stations, and server farms were also damaged.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Germany will provide Ukraine with a comprehensive €1.3 billion support package, including weapons to protect energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy addressed the Russian attacks: "Putin is taking revenge for the operation in which we captured territory in Donbas. Ukraine will respond in kind to Russia’s offensive actions against data centers, cellular networks, and bridges."

The bridges over the Dnipro River connect eastern Kyiv with the western part of the city, and Russia is seeking to cut off supply routes. At least four air-raid sirens were heard in Kyiv today, and a Russian drone exploded on the northern bridge over the Dnipro while vehicles were crossing it. 

Ukraine has already been forced to partially or fully close three of the six Dnipro bridges designated for vehicle traffic, causing heavy traffic congestion across large parts of the city throughout the weekend.