German Chancellor Merz Visits Kyiv, Pledges New Aid as Russian Drone Strikes Hit Bridges
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv on Sunday to show support for Ukraine as the capital faces renewed Russian attacks, including a fresh drone strike on a key bridge. He announced new military aid worth around one billion euros. Two of Kyiv's eight Dnieper River bridges have been hit by Russian jet drones in recent days, causing massive traffic jams. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported an impact on the Northern Bridge, while Merz arrived by train and met Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga. Merz also pledged 350 million euros for Ukrainian infrastructure before winter, amid fears of Russian strikes on power plants. His visit follows regional election losses to the far-right AfD, which opposes aid to Kyiv, and a Russian warning of "massive retaliatory strikes" on the capital.