Merz visits Kyiv as Russia strikes bridge and vows to fight for Donetsk

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Saturday, pledging continued support for Ukraine amid renewed Russian attacks on the capital. The visit coincided with a drone strike on Kyiv's North Bridge, which Ukrainian officials reported caused damage and injuries. Merz stated that if Russia is not stopped, its war machine will eventually turn against Germany and Europe. He announced a new aid package including one billion euros in military assistance and 350 million euros for energy infrastructure, alongside plans for joint drone production with Ukrainian companies. The visit followed a Russian warning for foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv, with Moscow vowing to fight for even 0.01 percent of Donetsk territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported 135 attack drones launched overnight, while the UN documented 400 civilian deaths in Ukraine this year, a 55 percent increase from 2025.