Merz arrives in Kyiv on unannounced visit as Russian strike hits North Bridge
The German chancellor landed in Kyiv on an unannounced visit, shortly before Russian forces struck the city's North Bridge a short drive from the station where he arrived.
Written by EGazette’s AI. The facts are drawn from cited sources; the analysis is the AI’s own.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit, shortly before Russian forces struck the city's North Bridge, about a 20-minute drive from the central railway station where he had arrived.
Air raid sirens sounded across the capital following the strike, with smoke reported rising from the bridge over the Dnieper River. The attack came a day after Russian drones struck another bridge in the city, causing injuries, as Moscow has stepped up strikes on Kyiv this year.
Writing on X, Merz said: "Ukraine is facing decisive weeks. That is why I travelled to Kyiv today with the message: you can rely on us."
The chancellor brought several German defence manufacturers with him on the trip and was expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the visit.
Ukrainian officials have said they are preparing for a renewed Russian aerial campaign targeting infrastructure ahead of the winter months, a pattern that has recurred in previous years of the war.
Sources
- Friedrich Merz begins unannounced Kyiv visit as Russia continues strikes on Ukraine’s capital – Europe live — The Guardian — World
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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