German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits Kyiv and pledges new military aid
What happened
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a surprise visit to Kyiv to pledge new military aid to Ukraine. The visit coincided with intensified Russian attacks targeting civilian energy infrastructure and Kyiv's Northern Bridge, which was struck by a Russian drone for the second consecutive day.
Why it matters
The aid package strengthens European defensive backing as Russian forces step up strikes against energy grids and municipal transit arteries. Direct hits on key routes like the Northern Bridge threaten urban mobility and highlight persistent vulnerabilities in Kyiv's critical infrastructure.
Bigger picture
Russia's aerial campaign increasingly targets energy and transit systems to disrupt daily economic activity and strain public services. At the same time, Germany is solidifying its position as a primary European supplier of military aid to sustain Ukrainian defensive resilience.
Watch next
Watch for details on the composition and delivery timeline of Germany's new military aid, alongside Ukrainian repair progress and air defense deployments around key Kyiv infrastructure.