President Zelensky and German Chancellor Merz Visit Amid Air Raid Alarm
On September 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz toured the National Academy of Sciences building in Kyiv, the very site targeted by a Russian drone strike that day. During their visit, air raid sirens sounded across the capital, highlighting the persistent threat posed by Russian aggression. Andriy Danyk, head of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, monitored the movements of Russian drones in real time using specialized software.
President Zelensky emphasized that the attack was deliberately aimed at the National Academy of Sciences, where its president and researchers were present at the time. He remarked,
“We will not linger here. These are dangerous moments. We are at our National Academy of Sciences. The strike was directed precisely at the academy, its president, and the scientists—all of whom were inside. The video shows they intended to attack and destroy the academy.”
Russian Drone Strike Claims Two Lives; Germany’s Support Remains Unwavering
The strike resulted in the death of an aide to former National Security and Defense Council Secretary Volodymyr Horbulin, raising the death toll from this incident to two. Despite the presence of Chancellor Merz and the German delegation in Kyiv, Russian forces continued their assaults without pause.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit, leading a delegation that included officials from Germany’s defense and energy sectors. Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Merz, stating,
“The Russians are utterly barbaric neighbors. But there is a silver lining: we have unity and strong partners. Friedrich, we are deeply thankful for your presence here. This sends a powerful and courageous message—both from you personally and the German people. Thank you sincerely.”
This high-profile visit underscores Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine amid ongoing conflict and highlights the critical role of international cooperation in bolstering Ukraine’s security. The global community’s response, especially Germany’s, is vital for strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities against Russian threats. Such visits reinforce solidarity with Ukraine and signal the readiness of its partners to stand by it during these challenging times.
As the situation in Ukraine escalates, the recent visit of Chancellor Merz coincided with a significant wave of Russian drone attacks targeting critical infrastructure in the region. This ongoing aggression underscores the urgency of international support for Ukraine's defense efforts. For a detailed account of these attacks and their implications, see how the German Chancellor's visit relates to Russia's broader strategy in the region in our latest report on Russia's massive drone assault on key infrastructure.