At least 14 people were killed and 24 others injured in the Kyiv region after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack targeting the Ukrainian capital early on Monday. The strike came days after another major bombardment and on the eve of a NATO summit expected to focus on military support for Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities reported multiple fires, residential damage and rescue operations as emergency services responded across the city and surrounding areas.
Attack on the capital
Explosions were reported across Kyiv during the early hours of Monday as Russia launched what Ukrainian officials described as a major aerial assault.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier warned that Russia was preparing “a new massive strike” against the capital ahead of the NATO summit in Turkey.
The Kyiv Regional Military Administration reported the launch of ballistic missiles, while Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to remain in shelters during the attack.
According to President Zelensky, at least 14 people were killed in the Kyiv region and 24 others were injured.
Damage and emergency response
Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said emergency services were responding to multiple fires across the city.
People were reported trapped inside a damaged apartment building, while approximately 30 residential buildings sustained damage during the attack.
Large plumes of black smoke were visible across parts of the capital following the strikes.
Air defence challenges
President Zelensky said Ukraine's air defence systems were effective against drones and Russian cruise missiles but faced significant challenges intercepting ballistic missiles.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia used 68 missiles, including 23 ballistic missiles and six hypersonic missiles, as well as 351 drones during the attack.
The Air Force said Ukrainian air defences shot down or neutralised 37 missiles and 326 drones. The data provided by the military indicated that none of the ballistic or hypersonic missiles were intercepted.
Call for Patriot systems
Mr Zelensky renewed calls for allies to provide additional interceptor missiles and Patriot air defence systems, which Ukraine regards as the most effective weapon against incoming ballistic missiles.
“It is critical that the world, first and foremost the United States and our European partners, emerge from the NATO summit in Ankara with strong decisions in support of our air defence,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the latest Russian bombardments demonstrated Ukraine's “urgent need” for additional air defence capabilities.
Diplomatic sources also indicated that European NATO members and Canada are expected to commit €70 billion in military assistance to Ukraine in both 2026 and 2027.
Previous strike on Kyiv
The latest attack follows a large-scale Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv last Thursday.
That operation lasted nearly 12 hours and resulted in 31 deaths and more than 100 injuries, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Ukrainian drone strikes
Ukraine also launched drone attacks against targets in Russia, according to Russian authorities.
Officials reported damage at the Baltic ports of Vysotsk and Ust-Luga following the strikes.
The Russian-appointed head of Crimea said a woman was killed in Kerch, while Ukrainian attacks also caused a major power outage in Sevastopol.
