Russia Strikes Kyiv During German Chancellor’s Visit in Escalation

POLICY WIRE — Kyiv, Ukraine — As German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv, the city was under attack, with air raid sirens and explosions echoing through the streets during his visit. This marked a sharp departure from previous high-profile diplomatic trips, where Moscow had historically reduced or paused strikes.

The Russian military launched repeated strikes on the capital, signaling a new phase of escalation. The German delegation moved through Kyiv under constant threat, highlighting the ongoing volatility of the region. German intelligence officials warned that the country faces growing risks of entanglement in a violent conflict with Russia as it intensifies its shadow war against European nations.

Germany has remained a key supporter of Ukraine, providing military and financial aid and hosting over a million Ukrainian refugees. Merz’s visit coincided with a surge in Russian attacks on Kyiv, disrupting daily life and crippling infrastructure. Recent strikes targeted major bridges, including those used during daylight hours, aiming to sever critical connections across the Dnipro River. A drone strike on the National Academy of Sciences forced Zelenskyy to evacuate Merz, calling the situation dangerous.

Merz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to Ukraine, announcing an additional $1.1 billion in military aid, emphasizing that supporting Ukraine is essential for Europe’s security. Russia claimed the strikes were retaliation for Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, which have crippled half of the country’s refining capacity. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry urged foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv, warning of continued large-scale strikes, but European allies refused to abandon the city.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)