Russian Strikes Kill 11 In Kyiv Hours Before NATO Summit

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv early Monday. The strikes killed at least 11 people and injured dozens more. Authorities say the death toll may still rise.

What Happened In Kyiv Overnight

Explosions hit the Ukrainian capital in several waves overnight. The first blasts struck around 1:40 am local time. More strikes followed at 2:10 am and again at 3:15 am.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, confirmed 10 deaths inside the city. One more person died in the surrounding districts. At least 46 people suffered injuries within Kyiv alone.

Ten additional people were hurt in nearby areas outside the capital. Rescue teams are still working through damaged buildings. Officials warn the casualty count could climb further.

Scale Of The Attack

Ukraine's military reported that Russia fired 68 missiles overnight. Drones added to the assault, with 351 launched in total. The combined barrage damaged at least 15 buildings across Kyiv.

Four of those damaged buildings sit in the historic Podilskyi district. Thousands of residents rushed into underground shelters as sirens sounded. Air raid warnings spread across multiple regions of Ukraine.

Why This Attack Came Now

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned about a possible strike the night before. He said intelligence pointed to a new large scale Russian assault. His statement came just one day before the NATO summit begins.

Zelenskyy linked the timing directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin's pattern. He noted past strikes often follow the same seasonal pattern. This attack came right after American Independence Day.

The NATO summit opens Tuesday in Ankara, Turkiye. Zelenskyy plans to meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines. Their meeting could address further military and diplomatic support for Ukraine.

This Follows Last Week's Deadly Strike

Russia hit Kyiv with a similarly large attack just days earlier. That assault killed 31 people, making it the deadliest strike this year. Monday's attack marks the second major hit on the capital in less than a week.

Ukraine Has Also Expanded Its Own Strikes

Both sides have widened their use of long range weapons recently. Ukraine has focused its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. The goal is to weaken Moscow's ability to sustain the war.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, governor of Russian-controlled Sevastopol, reported a related incident Monday. A Ukrainian strike near the Crimean port city knocked out local power. He confirmed the outage in a statement posted on Telegram.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many people died in the Kyiv attack?

At least 11 people died across Kyiv and nearby districts. Officials say the death toll could still increase.

Q: When is the NATO summit happening?

The summit begins Tuesday in Ankara, Turkiye. Zelenskyy is expected to meet President Trump there.

Q: How does this attack compare to last week's strike?

Last week's attack killed 31 people and was the deadliest of the year. Monday's strike is the second major assault on Kyiv in under a week.

Q: Is Ukraine also striking Russian targets?

Yes, Ukraine has focused attacks on Russian energy facilities. A recent strike near Sevastopol cut power to the city.