KYIV: At least 24 people were killed and more than 100 others injured after Russia launched missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack came a day before a major NATO summit.
Ukrainian officials said Russia targeted residential areas in Kyiv for the second consecutive week, using a combination of ballistic missiles and drones.
Residential Building Hit
The morning attack caused severe damage to a multi-storey residential building in Kyiv’s Podilskyi district, where a large crater was created and several floors of the building were split apart.
According to news agencies, residents heard more than ten explosions during a ballistic missile alert, while flashes were visible across the sky as air defence systems responded.
Authorities reported that 16 people were killed in Kyiv, while eight more died in the nearby town of Vyshneve, bringing the total death toll to 24. More than 100 people were injured and emergency crews continued rescue and recovery operations.
Zelenskyy Calls for Stronger Air Defences
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as “brutal,” saying Russia’s military strategy had not changed and continued to focus on inflicting maximum damage on Ukraine and its civilian population.
Zelenskyy, who is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump during the NATO summit, urged NATO allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities against Russian ballistic missiles.
He acknowledged that Ukrainian forces had intercepted numerous drones and cruise missiles but said the country still lacked sufficient systems capable of defending against ballistic missile attacks.
The Ukrainian president said it was regrettable that modern technology had not yet provided adequate protection against what he described as “ballistic terror” and expressed hope that NATO leaders would make significant decisions regarding Ukraine’s air defence during the summit.
NATO Response
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking in Ankara, said that NATO allies and partner countries must ensure Ukraine receives the support it needs to defend itself.
The latest strike marks the second major Russian ballistic missile attack within a week, according to Ukrainian officials.
Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to its allies for additional U.S.-made Patriot air defence missiles, arguing that the systems are critical to protecting cities and civilian infrastructure from ballistic missile attacks.
Ongoing Conflict
Russia and Ukraine have continued to exchange strikes as the war enters another year, with civilian areas frequently affected by missile and drone attacks. The latest assault underscores the continuing intensity of the conflict ahead of high-level diplomatic discussions among NATO member states.
At the time of reporting, there was no immediate official response from the Russian Ministry of Defence regarding the specific Ukrainian claims about the latest attack or the reported casualty figures, which could not be independently verified.
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