Zelenskyy in Berlin: Ukraine seeks stronger backing

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with newly appointed German chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday, as Ukraine continues to seek enhanced military support amid escalating Russian attacks. This meeting comes as Kyiv contends with a renewed wave of drone and missile strikes, and amid ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the prolonged conflict.Germany, recognized as the second-largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine after the United States, has maintained a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine’s defense. Chancellor Merz, who assumed office three weeks ago, stated on Monday that Berlin and its western allies are no longer imposing range limitations on weapons supplied to Ukraine. This policy shift could enable Kyiv to expand the operational reach of its defensive and counteroffensive capabilities as it faces Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.Since taking office, Merz has engaged in diplomatic initiatives to promote a ceasefire and sustain Western support for Ukraine amid rising regional tensions. His efforts come as military activity has intensified along the approximately 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces conducting deep strikes across contested areas.Over the past 48 hours, the conflict has witnessed some of the heaviest drone and missile attacks to date. On Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 296 Ukrainian drones across 13 Russian regions. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that air defenses downed 33 drones approaching the capital, while Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov reported that 42 drones were intercepted. Drone debris reportedly damaged three residential buildings in the village of Troitskoye, though no casualties were reported. The attacks caused disruptions at Moscow airports, with numerous flights delayed or diverted.Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russian forces launched a combined assault overnight involving five Iskander ballistic missiles, one guided air-launched missile, and 88 drones. Ukrainian air defense systems shot down 34 drones, while 37 were reportedly jammed. Despite these defenses, Ukraine’s railway infrastructure was targeted in the Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Sumy regions. The state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia reported no casualties, though railway operations were temporarily suspended in parts of the Kharkiv region to clear debris from a downed drone. In Sloviansk, drone strikes shattered windows at the station building and caused minor damage to a train car.The continued escalation highlights the ongoing intensity of the conflict, with diplomatic efforts struggling to keep pace with the intensity of military actions on both sides. As Zelenskyy prepares to meet Merz, the focus will be on reinforcing Ukraine’s defenses.