Germany announces its full support for Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv to reaffirm European support for Ukraine as Russia escalates its strikes on the capital, targeting a bridge once again.

Shortly after Merz's arrival amid strict security measures, air raid sirens sounded across Kyiv, urging residents to take shelter, amid warnings of approaching Russian drones.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko later confirmed that a strike damaged the road surface on the Northern Bridge, one of several bridges connecting the city's east and west over the Dnipro River that have been targeted in recent days.

Images posted on messaging platforms showed what appeared to be a missile striking the bridge, releasing a ball of flame into the air.

Klitschko said Kyiv, which has largely been spared the destruction seen in areas near the front lines during nearly five years of conflict, must now be on high alert due to the escalation of attacks.

Merz stated in a press release, "Ukraine needs our full support in the coming weeks," adding that "if Russia is not stopped, its military machine will turn toward us sooner or later."

Fears are growing in Europe that it could itself become within Russia's crosshairs, including through covert attacks.

Sirens wailed repeatedly and an AFP journalist heard distant explosions as Merz, accompanied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, visited the site of the Academy of Sciences, which was recently hit by a Russian attack.

Merz said, "Here we can realize the sheer absurdity of this war," adding, "These attacks on the Ukrainian civilian population must stop."

For his part, Zelensky said Kyiv is experiencing "a terrible situation, horrific nights and days," adding via Telegram, "It is essential that Ukraine is not left alone to face this horror."

According to government sources in Berlin, Merz is expected to announce new military aid worth around one billion euros for Ukraine, specifically aimed at defending against the dense swarms of drones increasingly used by Russia.

According to German government sources, Merz will also announce pledges of about 350 million euros ahead of winter to help provide generators, substations, and repair the electricity grid, at a time when Ukraine fears Russia will intensify its strikes on power plants as it did in 2025, when millions of people were deprived of power and heating for periods amid severe cold.

Zelensky stated that "important agreements will be concluded between Ukraine and Germany."

Zelensky has repeatedly called on Ukraine's Western allies to provide more military support, including advanced interception systems to shoot down Russia's new, fast, jet-powered drones.

According to sources in Berlin, the military aid package includes combat drones and satellite technologies to help Ukraine target Russian launch sites, as well as the co-production of interceptor drones to counter jet-powered drones.

On Sunday, Russia vowed to intensify its strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure in response to statements by Zelensky in which he vowed to increase attacks on Russian oil refineries.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement, "Following the statements made by Zelensky, the strikes by the Russian armed forces on military and industrial facilities, as well as related infrastructure, will be intensified in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine."

On Saturday, Russia warned foreigners and diplomats against staying in Kyiv, saying it would be subject to new "large-scale" airstrikes.

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová wrote on X on Sunday, "The EU mission is staying. Our threat will not stop Europe's support for Ukraine. It only reminds us of the importance of this support!"

Mathernová told AFP, "No one is leaving," adding that European embassies always have contingency plans, including for the winter.

Russia has acknowledged that it is deliberately targeting Ukraine's energy sector as winter approaches. Last year, similar attacks led to power and heating outages for days on end as temperatures dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

In Kyiv, a city of about three million people, residents have begun considering what they will do if it happens again. The government has also suggested that the most vulnerable individuals and people with disabilities consider leaving the city.