Russian missile attack on Kiev: Russia attacks Kiev with 68 missiles, 351 drones; 11 people killed before NATO summit
Ukrainian officials said Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone attack in and around Kiev early Monday, killing at least 11 people and injuring more than 60 others. It comes just days after Türkiye launched its deadliest attack on the capital this year and ahead of a major NATO summit.According to Reuters, 10 people died in Kiev and one person died in the surrounding Butcha district. Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 46 people were injured in the capital and 15 others in surrounding areas of Kiev. Odessa was also attacked, injuring at least one person.
Rescue efforts continue, residential buildings destroyed
The attack severely damaged residential areas, and Ukrainian authorities said at least 15 apartment buildings were damaged or destroyed.The historic Podolski district suffered the worst damage, with a nine-story residential building mostly destroyed from the fifth floor up. Officials said four apartment buildings in the area were hit, with the eastern district of Dalnitsky also among the worst-hit areas.As firefighters battled the blaze, emergency workers continued to search for survivors in the rubble.Reuters reported that 22-year-old Alyona was waiting for news of her missing 19-year-old friend near the destroyed building.“We’re sitting here waiting for them to get them back… She’s very kind, she’s only 19 years old. She’s a very kind girl,” she said.
Russia launches missiles and drones
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched 68 missiles, including 23 ballistic missiles and 6 supersonic and hypersonic missiles, as well as 351 drones.According to Ukrainian officials, air defense systems intercepted or destroyed 37 missiles and 326 drones. However, no ballistic or hypersonic missiles were intercepted.President Zelensky has repeatedly urged Western allies to provide more Patriot missile interceptors, saying they are Ukraine’s only effective defense against incoming ballistic missiles. He made the calls again just hours before Monday’s attack.The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed what it called a “massive strike” using long-range precision weapons launched from the air, land and sea, as well as drones.Moscow said it was targeting military, energy and defense industry facilities in Kiev and several other Ukrainian regions.
Attack ahead of NATO summit
The latest attack came just days after Russia launched an attack in Kiev that killed 31 people, the worst attack in the capital this year.The new bombing also comes ahead of this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, where US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Zelensky.Trump is also expected to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin after the summit, as Washington attempts to revive stalled peace efforts.
Cross-border attacks continue in Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine also launched drone attacks in Russia overnight.Reuters reported that Ukrainian drones damaged the Baltic Sea port of Vysotsk and Russia’s main oil export terminal Ust-Luga, while the attacks also caused a temporary power outage in Sevastopol, where Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is based.Poland briefly deployed fighter jets as a precautionary measure during the Russian attack, underscoring growing regional security concerns as the conflict continues into its fourth year.
