Merz promises more air-defence help in surprise Kyiv trip

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv unannounced on 4 October, pledging more help for Ukraine's air defences — systems that shoot down incoming drones. He restated Germany's backing as Russian drones hit the capital. Those defences would help protect the Pivdennyi and Pivnichnyi bridges, which cross the Dnipro River linking west and east Kyiv.