Germany's leader visits Kyiv without warning, offers sky protection

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv without advance notice on 4 October and promised more help to defend Ukraine's skies — like a shield that knocks down attacking drones. He repeated Germany's support as Russian drones struck the city. That shield would help guard the Pivdennyi and Pivnichnyi bridges over the Dnipro River, joining west and east Kyiv.