DOMINANT ANGLE
Helsinki sees the visit of Merz to Kiev through the strike on the bridge: Russian pressure on civilians and foreigners, more than just an aid package.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
A Kiev bridge was hit on Sunday, October 4, shortly after Merz's arrival by train; Mayor Klitschko reports two injured (HS, citing AFP).
- 02
The Russian Foreign Ministry had called on foreigners and diplomats to leave Kiev the day before.
- 03
Germany announced a new package of over 1.3 billion euros, with energy support and aid against drones (MTV, citing the Kyiv Independent).
ANALYSIS
Helsinki, October 5, 2026. The Finnish press treats Friedrich Merz's visit to Kiev first as an episode of the air war, and only then as an announcement of aid. Helsingin Sanomat leads with the strike: on Sunday, October 4, Russia hit a bridge in Kiev shortly after the arrival of the German chancellor, who came by train, according to AFP. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported two injured. The newspaper specifies that it was the second strike of the weekend on the northern bridge spanning the Dnieper.
The newspaper recalls the previous day: the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had called on foreigners, including diplomats, to leave the Ukrainian capital, holding those who stay responsible for the consequences. Merz came despite this warning. He stated: "If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will turn against us sooner or later," and promised that Germany would not be intimidated by the strike.
HS gives the floor to military science researcher Ilmari Käihkö, who reads the call to leave as an attempt to increase fear among Ukrainians. Ukraine is heavily dependent on Western support, and the departure of international actors would be a significant shock. According to him, the strikes on the bridges are mainly aimed at complicating the lives of civilians and undermining their capacity and will to resist, as winter approaches.
MTV Uutiset highlights the video released by Volodymyr Zelensky on X and Telegram, where the bridge is seen exploding as civilian motorists cross it. The Ukrainian president writes that the main targets of "these terrorists" are, as always, residential buildings and critical infrastructure. MTV notes that Moscow had announced its warning after Zelensky said he wanted to strike Russian oil infrastructure more effectively.
The German package comes in second. MTV, citing the Kyiv Independent, mentions more than 1.3 billion euros, with energy support and aid against drones. Merz's quote, "Mr. Putin, stop this senseless war," is reported as he delivered it to the media. The articles do not detail EU membership or Taurus missiles: attention remains on Kiev's security and the significance of the strike during the visit.
