Russia launched a massive barrage of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones targeting the Kyiv region on Monday. This marked the second major assault on the capital in less than a week, following a large-scale attack last Thursday that killed more than 30 people. The latest strikes hit residential areas, causing buildings to shatter and one residential building to partially collapse. Authorities reported that at least 24 people were killed and more than 100 wounded, with rescue crews working to pull residents from the debris.
The assault occurred on the eve of a NATO summit in Turkey, where leaders are set to announce tens of billions of dollars in defense deals. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had previously warned of a likely attack, has pressed allies for stronger air defense support. Officials noted that the strikes exposed widening gaps in Ukraine's defenses, highlighting an acute shortage of U.S.-made Patriot interceptor missiles which Russia is reportedly exploiting to increase its attacks.
In response, Ukraine launched waves of missiles and more than 430 drones targeting Moscow, 17 other Russian regions, and occupied Crimea, Donetsk, and Kherson. One person was killed in Russia's Belgorod region. These escalating long-range attacks from both sides, occurring more than four years into the full-scale invasion, underscore that prospects for the resumption of peace talks remain remote.