Russia to Intensify Strikes as Bridge Attacked in Kyiv During Merz Visit

Russia announced it will intensify strikes on military and industrial facilities in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions, as a new bridge in Kyiv was attacked by a drone during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Merz visited Kyiv to show support and announced approximately one billion euros in new military aid for Ukraine, including defense against drones, plus 350 million euros for infrastructure before winter. He warned that if Russia is not stopped, its war machine will turn against Europe. The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement came in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's promise to increase attacks on Russian refineries. Zelensky also said the United States proposes trilateral talks with Russian and Ukrainian representatives by late October.