Merz visits Kyiv as Russian drone hits key bridge

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv on Sunday, where a Russian drone strike hit a bridge during his arrival, triggering air raid alarms in the Ukrainian capital. Merz condemned the attacks as daily war crimes and called on Putin to end the war. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported the strike on the roadway of the city's North Bridge, with debris from a downed drone falling on a residential building. In the Sumy region, five people were injured in a Russian glide bomb attack on a home. Merz arrived by train to pledge continued German support, including drones for defense. Security expert Nico Lange called the timing of the Russian attacks a deliberate show of force to intimidate Ukraine's supporters, while Merz's visit signaled resolve. Germany remains Ukraine's largest backer in the conflict lasting over four and a half years, with Lange urging European states to sustain support and prepare for winter energy needs.