Merz pledges air-defence aid on surprise Kyiv visit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv unannounced on 4 October and pledged further assistance for Ukrainian air defences. He reaffirmed Germany's support as Russian drones struck the capital. The Pivdennyi and Pivnichnyi bridges cross the Dnipro and link western and eastern Kyiv, a connection air defence would help protect.