Russian drone strikes Kyiv bridge during German Chancellor Merz's solidarity visit

In Kyiv, a Russian attack triggered a drone alarm shortly after the arrival of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU).

Kyiv experienced a live Russian attack as Chancellor Friedrich Merz was visiting. A drone struck infrastructure in the capital. Security expert Nico Lange praised the Chancellor's visit.

Attack Details

Following the arrival of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) in Kyiv, a Russian attack triggered a drone alarm. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported via Telegram on the morning of the incident that a strike had occurred on the roadway of the city's North Bridge. He had earlier reported a drone alarm in the early morning hours. Debris from a downed aerial object fell onto the roof of a residential building.

Other parts of Ukraine also issued air raid alerts due to Russian attacks. In the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine, authorities reported five injuries following an attack with a Russian glide bomb, which struck a residential building.

Merz Condemns Attacks

Merz strongly condemned the Russian attacks on the country's infrastructure, calling them daily war crimes.

"Mr. Putin, stop this senseless war," Merz told journalists in the Ukrainian capital. "We are ready for talks, we are ready to speak with each other about ending this war. But these barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop."

Visit Context

Chancellor Merz arrived in Kyiv by train in the morning. Prior to his arrival, the Russian Foreign Ministry had warned Europeans against traveling to or staying in Ukraine. During this solidarity visit, the Chancellor aims to pledge further German support to the country under Russian attack—including drones to defend against the increasingly fast Russian aerial vehicles.

Germany remains the largest supporter of Ukraine in its defense against the Russian war of aggression, which has now been ongoing for more than four and a half years. Ukraine, for its part, attacked Russian targets with hundreds of drones, according to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU, right) with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Source: Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Expert Analysis

Security expert Nico Lange interpreted the simultaneous Russian attacks during Merz's Kyiv visit as a deliberate show of force.

"The Russians are trying to intimidate Ukraine's supporters," Lange said in an interview with WELT TV. At the same time, Merz's trip sends the signal: "We will not be intimidated. We continue to support Ukraine."

Lange described the visit as an "important visit at an important time."

He further explained that Russia has been "unsuccessful" at the front and has therefore "turned to terror, particularly against Kyiv." As an example, Lange cited the attack on a bridge in the Ukrainian capital during the Chancellor's visit. While the drones used cannot destroy the bridge, the goal is to disrupt the connection between the two banks of the city. Russia aims to "make everyday life impossible for people" and terrorize the population.

Call for Continued Support

Lange called on European states to continue their support:

"Europeans as a whole must ask themselves: How do they not only support Ukraine, but how do they stop Putin?"

Lange also highlighted the importance of the accompanying economic delegation led by Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche. The visit concerns not only air defense but also the energy system and preparations for winter. Representatives from the energy and defense sectors are therefore part of the delegation. Lange described support for the Ukrainian defense industry and partnerships with German companies as "very important."

Sources: Reuters, dpa, kami