German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as air-raid sirens and explosions rang across the capital, Reuters reported via NBC News and the Associated Press confirmed.

Merz said Germany would release about €1 billion ($1.13 billion) in military aid—including long-range weapons, combat drones, and satellite support—and about €350 million for energy repairs ahead of winter. The leaders visited the damaged National Academy of Sciences building, where a recent drone strike killed two people, and urged Russia to stop attacking civilians. Zelenskyy said the visit amid ongoing strikes was an important signal of European support, and the sides moved ahead on joint drone production meant to counter Russia’s jet-powered Shahed-type attacks.

The Northern Bridge over the Dnipro was hit again Sunday. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the strike injured two people and damaged roadway and hot-water infrastructure. Video shared on social media showed a drone striking the span as traffic moved. Russia has been hitting Kyiv’s river bridges since late last week in a push to disrupt east–west links and city logistics.

Backstory: overnight Oct. 3–4, Ukraine’s Air Force reported a 135-drone Russian assault, with about 123 shot down or jammed and hits at five locations, Ukrainska Pravda and RBC-Ukraine said. Meduza and the Institute for the Study of War had already flagged first-time drone damage to the Southern and Northern bridges earlier in the week, with partial closures and winter commute risk for Kyiv households.

What we know: Merz–Zelenskyy Sunday visit under alerts; ~€1B military + €350M energy aid; Academy of Sciences stop; Northern Bridge hit again with two injured; overnight 135-drone wave still the near-term air picture.

What we don’t: final infrastructure tallies for Sunday’s bridge strike, or how fast German-funded interceptor drones reach the front.

Engage: follow German government readout, Zelenskyy’s X updates, and Kyiv city notices on bridge closures.