German Chancellor Pledges Significant Aid to Ukraine Amid Escalating Russian Attacks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv, announcing a substantial aid package of approximately $1.1 billion in military assistance and $400 million for energy grid repairs, with additional agreements totaling $9.6 billion for security cooperation and weapons production. During his visit, a Russian drone struck one of Kyiv's main bridges, wounding two people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will continue attacking Russian oil refineries in response to Russia's new policy of airstrikes on civilian targets.