Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday, seeking increased military aid amid a new wave of intense Russian drone and missile attacks. The visit comes as Kyiv pushes for expanded Western support to counter Russia’s escalating bombardments despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire.
Chancellor Merz, in office for just three weeks, recently confirmed that Germany and its allies have lifted restrictions on supplying longer-range weapons to Ukraine. Germany remains Ukraine’s second-largest military aid provider after the U.S., and Merz has pledged to maintain strong diplomatic and military support.
Meanwhile, heavy combat continues along the 1,000-kilometer front line. Russia launched its most extensive drone assault of the war over the past two days, claiming to have intercepted 296 Ukrainian drones across 13 regions. Moscow officials reported dozens of drones were downed near the capital, causing property damage but no injuries. The attacks disrupted air traffic at Moscow airports.
On the Ukrainian side, air defenses intercepted 34 out of 88 drones and jammed another 37, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. Russian strikes also targeted railway infrastructure in Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Sumy, temporarily halting train operations and causing minor damage but no casualties.
The Zelenskyy-Merz meeting is expected to focus on strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities and coordinating Western support amid one of the war’s most intense escalations.
