Merz arrives in Kyiv as drone strike hits bridge

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday as air-raid sirens sounded across the Ukrainian capital and a Russian drone strike was reported to have hit one of the city’s bridges. Merz travelled by train with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and a delegation of German business figures. On arrival, he warned that Russia’s war machine could eventually be directed against other countries if it was not stopped.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the road surface of the Northern Bridge had been hit and that emergency services were going to the scene. The supplied material did not give details of casualties or the extent of the damage. German media reports said Merz was expected to announce a further billion euros in military aid and €350 million for repairs to Ukraine’s energy sector.

He was also expected to outline plans for joint production of interceptor drones and long-range missiles in Ukraine and Germany. Government sources cited by Reuters and dpa said the drone programme could focus on systems capable of intercepting fast, jet-powered drones used by Russia against civilian infrastructure. Missile production with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometres was also expected to increase.

Merz said Ukraine would need German support as winter approached and Russian attacks intensified. He was also due to discuss political reforms and corruption concerns with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit followed a warning from Russia’s Foreign Ministry urging diplomats and other visitors to avoid Kyiv, particularly military and government buildings.

Russia said its strikes responded to alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure.