Good morning and welcome to our live update from Europe. I am Frances Mao.
We commence our coverage in Kyiv, where German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a key supporter of Ukraine within Europe, has made an unexpected visit this morning. Shortly after his arrival, Russian forces targeted the city’s North Bridge, located just a short drive from the main railway station where Merz had arrived.
The sound of air raid sirens echoed across Kyiv, with smoke visible rising from the Dnieper River bridge. The previous day, drone strikes by Russia had already hit another bridge, resulting in injuries. The Kremlin has increased its military assaults on the capital this year, with Ukrainians bracing themselves for a possible surge in attacks as autumn approaches and winter looms. Merz expressed his commitment to Ukraine on social media, stating, “Ukraine is facing decisive weeks. That is why I travelled to Kyiv today with the message: you can rely on us.” He has brought along representatives from several German defense companies and is anticipated to meet with President Zelenskyy.
In other news across Europe, Bosnians are casting their votes in a national election that could significantly influence their challenging path toward EU membership.
Additionally, I will provide updates on the rent protests that took place in several major cities across Spain yesterday.
During his visit to the National Academy of Science in Kyiv, which was targeted by Russian drones earlier this week, Merz condemned these actions as “war crimes.” He stated, “These barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop. These are daily war crimes.” The academy is located just a few hundred meters from the German Embassy.
The German Chancellor also sent a message to President Putin urging him to “end this senseless war” and conveyed Germany’s willingness to engage in dialogue. President Zelenskyy remarked that the attacks on Kyiv continued even during Merz’s visit.
In Latvia, Prime Minister Andris Kulberg’s center-right party has emerged victorious in the recent parliamentary elections, securing the highest level of support in the country. The election, held on Saturday, was influenced by concerns regarding Russia, as well as issues related to the cost of living, with voter turnout at approximately 51%. Kulberg’s United List party achieved an unprecedented victory, winning 42 of the 100 parliamentary seats, and will now seek to form a governing coalition.
Kulberg assumed the role of prime minister in May following a political crisis related to stray drones believed to have come from Ukraine, which led to the collapse of the previous governing coalition. As the new leader, he has committed to advancing Latvia’s pro-Ukraine and EU policies. Latvia, a nation of 1.8 million residents, shares borders with both Russia and Belarus and has consistently supported Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
Germany has been Ukraine’s largest donor, contributing over €43.3 billion (approximately $48.8 billion) in aid since the beginning of the conflict, along with military equipment and weaponry. President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Merz for visiting Kyiv, recognizing him as “a leader of a country that consistently demonstrates leadership in protecting the lives of Ukrainians from Russian strikes.” He further emphasized the need for critical agreements between Ukraine and Germany in order to enhance defense capabilities against Russia.
In recent updates, Zelenskyy tweeted about the ongoing strikes and thanked Chancellor Merz for his support. He confirmed that this morning’s attack on the Northern Bridge was executed by a drone and reported another drone strike on a pharmaceutical warehouse in Sumy that resulted in one fatality, as well as an assault on a communications facility in Dnipro.
“Last night, Russia launched 135 attack drones against Ukraine, with over 50 being jet-propelled. The regions of Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia were targeted. Among the primary targets of these attacks are civilian residences and vital infrastructure—elements that constitute everyday life,” he stated. “This week alone, Russian forces have deployed over 1,900 attack drones, 1,700 aerial bombs, and 25 missiles against Ukraine, with more than 800 drones being jet-powered. Russia must be held accountable for this escalation.”
Chancellor Merz’s visit to Kyiv this weekend serves as a significant display of solidarity, particularly as attacks intensify. As noted by reporter Pjotr Sauer, Western diplomats have publicly affirmed their intention to remain in Kyiv, aware that leaving could grant Moscow a propaganda advantage and suggest that Ukraine is being abandoned. However, two senior diplomats privately revealed that contingency plans are being developed to relocate embassies to Lviv or eastern Poland should Russia begin intentionally targeting foreign missions. “The situation is obviously deteriorating rapidly,” one diplomat remarked.
Pjotr Sauer, the Guardian’s reporter covering Russian affairs in Kyiv this week, described the relentless wave of assaults affecting the Ukrainian capital: “Kyiv is entering its most challenging phase since the early days of the invasion, as intensified Russian attacks dramatically alter daily life in a city that Moscow aims to plunge into darkness. In recent weeks, the primary concern has been the approaching winter, when Russia is anticipated to attempt once more to envelop Ukraine in darkness and cold. However, the sharp increase in Russian strikes has left many residents feeling that the hardships they were preparing for have already begun.”
“The capital is in a very dramatic situation. It is no longer possible to pretend that we can live as we did in peacetime,” remarked Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Friday. “The enemy is tearing Kyiv apart.” This week alone, Russian missiles and drones have targeted offices, data centers, and other critical facilities.
