Russia launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's capital early on Monday, escalating tensions just a day before a crucial Nato summit in Ankara that is expected to be attended by US President Donald Trump. The strike comes at a sensitive diplomatic moment, with the war in Ukraine set to dominate discussions among Nato leaders.
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According to CNN, Ukraine's air force said Russia attacked Kyiv using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. Powerful explosions echoed across central Kyiv in the early hours of Monday as air defence systems responded to the assault.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said debris from intercepted missiles and drones caused fires and damage in at least two districts of the capital. Air raid sirens had sounded across the city shortly before the explosions.
The latest bombardment came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was preparing another large-scale attack.
"Intelligence once again indicates that the Russians are preparing a new massive strike. This is typical of Putin: right after America's Independence Day and before the Nato Summit in Ankara. Russia wants to bring more evil and kill people," Zelenskyy wrote on X.
The attack also follows one of the deadliest Russian strikes on Kyiv in recent months. Last Thursday's assault killed at least 30 people, making it the third-deadliest attack on the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, CNN reported.
The renewed assault comes as Nato leaders prepare to meet in Ankara on Tuesday, where the war in Ukraine is expected to remain at the top of the agenda. Russian forces have stepped up their offensive in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, which remains one of the Kremlin's primary military objectives.
At the same time, Ukraine has intensified its own long-range strikes inside Russian territory, targeting oil refineries, ports and military-industrial facilities with missiles and drones, according to CNN.
