Russian Strike Damages Kyiv Bridge as Germany Signs $1.5 Billion Ukraine Aid Deal
Reporting based primarily on channelnewsasia.com.
Russian Strikes on Kyiv
A Russian drone carrying an unexploded munition crashed in Kyiv's Obolonskyi district, prompting emergency services to respond after an air-raid warning. [2] One strike damaged the road surface of the Northern Bridge over the Dnipro river, one of several bridges hit in the last four days. [1] Russia says it hit the Kyiv bridge. [4] Air raid sirens wailed repeatedly across the capital as the attacks unfolded. [1] Round-the-clock attacks have hit residential areas, petrol stations, schools, rail and communications infrastructure while the near-constant air raid sirens disrupt daily life and put people on edge. [1] Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko has said the capital should now be on a war footing. [1] Prior to the attack an air-raid warning was issued in the capital due to the threat of a drone attack. [2]
Merz Visit Amid Attacks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Ukraine on Sunday to show solidarity after Russian attacks on Kyiv infrastructure, including three bridges. [3] Merz, on a surprise visit to show European support as attacks increase, discovered the new reality of daily life in the Ukrainian capital. [1] As he arrived, Merz said that support for Ukraine was vital for European security. [1] Merz visited damaged sites including the National Academy of Sciences hit on Monday. [1] He called the attacks war crimes and stated support for Ukraine is vital for European security. [1] "We can see the entire pointlessness of this war at this place," noted Merz. [1] "These barbarous attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop. These are war crimes that are being committed daily here." [1]
Unexploded Russian drone lies on the ground in Kyiv's Obolonskyi district after crash. — Source: ukrainskapravda
New German Support Package
Ukraine and Germany signed a US$1.5 billion agreement including 1 billion euros for weapons such as combat drones and joint production of anti-jet drones, plus 350 billion euros for the energy sector. [1] The agreement worth more than 1.3 billion euros includes some 1 billion euros for weapons including combat drones, while 350 billion euros goes towards supporting Ukraine's battered energy sector, which Russia is targeting to cut off heating and power during the freezing winter months. [1] The latest deal provides for the joint production of anti-jet drones. [1] "Significant technical breakthroughs have already been achieved in this area in recent weeks," Merz told a joint news conference with Zelenskyy. [1] "Production is now being ramped up. This strengthens Ukrainian air defence quickly and significantly." [1] "We are supplying standoff weapons, combat drones and satellite technology so that Ukraine can also target Russian launch sites." [1] Merz said Berlin's winter support programme will help provide generators, transformer stations and for grid repairs. [1]
Calls for Negotiations
Zelenskyy said the US proposed technical-level talks with Ukraine and Russia by the end of the month, possibly with UAE mediators, to which Ukraine responded positively. [1] President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Washington had proposed fresh talks with both Ukraine and Russia by the end of the month. [1] "We respond positively to negotiations," he added. [1] Talks to end Europe's worst conflict since World War II have been at a standstill and both sides have promised to ramp up long-range attacks on military and related targets. [1] Merz called this week for NATO and European unity against Russia, as well as in his own country, where the far-right, Moscow-friendly AfD opposition is on the rise. [1]
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits Kyiv to express support for Ukraine amid Russian strikes. — Source: france24
Russian Warnings and European Response
On Saturday, Moscow warned foreigners and diplomats to leave Kyiv, saying "massive" new airstrikes would hit the city. [3] Moscow warned foreigners and diplomats to leave Kyiv ahead of massive airstrikes. [1] "The EU Delegation is staying," European Union ambassador Katarina Mathernova wrote on X on Sunday. [1] "Threatening us will not stop Europe's support for Ukraine," she added. [1] "It only reminds us why that support matters!" [1] Merz told reporters he was unfazed by the threat but did not know if it had been made to coincide with his visit. [1] Leaders from countries allied to Ukraine have continued to make visits despite a similar threat made in May. [3] There have been increasing fears in Europe that it could find itself in Russia's crosshairs. [1] Security was a top concern for voters in this weekend's election in NATO member Latvia, which borders Russia. [1]
Impact on Kyiv and Energy Infrastructure
Russia has admitted deliberately targeting Ukraine's energy sector as winter approaches. [1] Last year, similar attacks knocked out power and heating for days on end as temperatures plummeted to minus 20C. [1] In Kyiv, home to some three million people, residents are mulling what to do if that happens again, and there have been calls for the vulnerable and disabled to consider leaving. [1] Ukraine has repeatedly called for advanced interceptors to shoot down Russia's new fast-moving, jet-powered drones and powerful ballistic missiles. [1] One blast that was heard across the city damaged the road surface of the Northern Bridge. [1] Merz visited damaged sites including the National Academy of Sciences hit on Monday, killing two. [1] Ukraine secures a US$1.5 billion deal with Germany for weapons and energy support as Russian drone attacks intensify and air raid sirens disrupt Kyiv. [1]
What to watch next: Zelenskyy said the United States was proposing "technical level" talks with both sides by the end of this month, possibly including UAE mediators, while Merz emphasized that support for Ukraine remains vital for European security.
