At least 26 people were killed and more than 100 injured after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and surrounding areas early Monday, Ukrainian authorities said. The strikes came just days after another deadly attack on the capital and on the eve of a key NATO summit in Turkey, where Ukraine is expected to press its allies for stronger air defence support. Ukrainian officials said the latest assault also claimed lives in other parts of the country, including the northeastern city of Sumy and the southern city of Zaporizhzhia.
According to Ukrainian authorities, 18 people were killed in Kyiv, while eight others died in the nearby town of Vyshneve in the Kyiv region. More than 100 people were reported injured as missiles and drones struck residential areas, causing widespread destruction. In Kyiv's Podilskyi district, a ballistic missile tore through a multi-storey apartment building, leaving a massive crater and splitting sections of the structure. Emergency services continued search-and-rescue operations as crews worked to clear debris and locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, describing it as a "brutal strike" and accusing Russia of deliberately targeting civilians. He said Moscow's strategy remained focused on inflicting maximum suffering on Ukraine and its people. According to Zelensky, Russia launched 68 missiles and 351 attack drones during the overnight assault, making it one of the largest combined aerial attacks in recent weeks. He noted that while Ukraine had been successful in intercepting many drones and cruise missiles, the country continued to face difficulties defending against ballistic missiles due to limited air defence capabilities.
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In addition to the casualties in the Kyiv region, Ukrainian officials said two people were killed in Russian drone strikes in the northeastern city of Sumy. Authorities also reported two deaths in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia. The attacks underscored the broad geographic scope of Russia's latest offensive, with strikes reported across multiple regions. Air raid alerts sounded overnight in several parts of the country, and residents sought shelter as explosions echoed through urban centres.
The latest bombardment comes ahead of a crucial NATO summit in Turkey, where Zelensky is expected to meet US President Donald Trump and seek additional military assistance, particularly more air defence systems and interceptor missiles for US-made Patriot batteries. Speaking after the attack, Zelensky said Ukraine urgently needed stronger protection against ballistic missiles, arguing that existing defences were insufficient to counter such threats. He expressed hope that the summit would result in concrete decisions to strengthen Ukraine's air defence network.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reiterated the alliance's commitment to supporting Ukraine, saying allies and partner nations must continue providing the assistance Kyiv needs to defend itself. Russia has intensified its missile and drone campaign against Ukrainian cities in recent months, frequently targeting civilian infrastructure alongside military objectives. The latest strikes are expected to add urgency to discussions at the NATO summit as Ukraine continues to call for enhanced military support to counter Russia's sustained aerial attacks.
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