Russian missile attack kills 8 ahead of NATO summit
A Russian ballistic missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and surrounding areas killed at least eight people and injured 34 others on Monday, just one day before the NATO summit in Türkiye.
According to Ukrainian officials, seven people were killed in Kyiv, while another person died in Bucha district, northwest of the capital. The missile strike also sparked fires in residential buildings and caused damage across several neighborhoods.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the city's air defense systems were activated soon after the attack, and residents were urged to remain inside bomb shelters until the threat had passed.
The head of Kyiv's regional military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, confirmed that Russia launched ballistic missiles targeting the capital and nearby areas.
The latest assault is the second major missile attack on Kyiv and its surroundings in less than a week, highlighting the continued intensity of the Russia-Ukraine war despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Emergency crews rushed to affected areas to extinguish fires, rescue trapped residents and assess the extent of the damage. Authorities warned that the casualty toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
The attack came just ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, where US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the conflict and military support for Ukraine.
Following the meeting, Trump is also expected to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as the United States seeks to revive stalled peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
The latest strike underscores the fragile security situation as diplomatic efforts continue alongside escalating military action.