KYIV, Nov 4 - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced an additional EUR 200 million (roughly $218 million) to help Ukrainians during their third winter of war, amid continued Russian attacks on infrastructure, DPA reported.

The money will be used so that homes close to the front line without energy supplies can also receive fuel and "Ukrainians can be provided with essentials such as blankets or warm winter coats to protect them from freezing temperatures," she said at a meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, in Kyiv.

The additional humanitarian aid is not for the energy sector, but for emergency winter relief for the population, such as solid fuel for homes near the front line, insulation, winter clothing, blankets and cash assistance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is now seeking military assistance from North Korea and is redoubling his efforts in eastern Ukraine, Baerbock said. He is deliberately targeting lifelines across the country, bombing power plants and destroying power lines in what she called a perfidious strategy.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he had discussed with Baerbock the "need for decisive action" in response to North Korean involvement in the war in Ukraine.

"We urge Europe to realize that the DPRK troops are now carrying out an aggressive war in Europe against a sovereign European state," he told a briefing after meeting with Baerbock in Kyiv.

Baerbock has been briefed on the use of German-supplied Gepard anti-aircraft tanks during the visit.

Ukrainian soldiers told her that on Friday of last week, they had shot down three Russian drones in the greater Kyiv area. They also asked Baerbock for more support in the form of ammunition.

The Gepard tanks are considered particularly effective in repelling drone attacks. So far, Germany has supplied Ukraine with 55 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, including spare parts, and 176,000 pieces of anti-aircraft ammunition from Bundeswehr and industrial stocks.

Afterwards, the German minister was shown an energy plant near Kyiv that had been hit several times by Russian missiles but was still producing electricity.

Baerbock said Germany was helping counter the "brutality" of Russia's campaign with "humanity and support — so that the Ukrainians not only survive the winter, but their country can survive." (dpa/ez)