Merz Visits Kyiv as Russian Drone Strikes North Bridge

Overview

• German head of government Friedrich Merz made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Sunday to reaffirm support and to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky.
• A Russian drone hit the North Bridge during the visit, injuring two people and leaving a crater that disrupted traffic while repair teams assessed the damage.
• Ukrainian authorities reported about 135 drones were launched overnight and said roughly 125 were shot down, highlighting growing pressure on air defenses and calls for more intercept munitions.
• Germany is preparing roughly €1 billion in military aid plus €350 million for energy infrastructure repairs, and Berlin and Kyiv advanced a plan for joint production of drones and missiles.
• Russia’s defense ministry said it would step up attacks in response to Kyiv’s recent statements about striking Russian energy sites, increasing the risk to civilian infrastructure and to visiting delegations.