The attack also comes on the heels of one of the heaviest Russian strikes on Kiev in recent months.
Russia launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital early Monday, escalating tensions just a day before a crucial NATO summit in Ankara that US President Donald Trump is expected to attend. The strike comes at a sensitive diplomatic moment, with the war in Ukraine expected to dominate discussions among NATO leaders.According to CNN, the Ukrainian Air Force said Russia attacked Kiev using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. Powerful explosions echoed across central Kiev in the early hours of Monday morning when air defense systems responded to the attack.Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said debris from intercepted missiles and drones caused fires and damage in at least two districts of the capital. Sirens sounded across the city shortly before the explosions occurred.The latest bombing came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was preparing for another large-scale attack.“Intelligence once again indicates that the Russians are preparing a new massive strike. This is the case for Putin: right after US Independence Day and before the NATO summit in Ankara. Russia wants to bring more evil and kill people,” Zelensky wrote on X.The attack also comes on the heels of one of the heaviest Russian strikes on Kiev in recent months.
CNN reported that last Thursday’s attack killed at least 30 people, making it the third deadliest attack on the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.The renewed offensive comes as NATO leaders prepare to meet in Ankara on Tuesday, with the war in Ukraine expected to remain high on the agenda. Russian forces have intensified their offensive in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, which remains one of the Kremlin’s main military targets.Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified its long-range strikes inside Russian territory, targeting oil refineries, ports and military industrial facilities with missiles and drones, according to CNN.The latest escalation also comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation lasting about 90 minutes on July 4. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that during the call, Trump again offered to help mediate an end to the war.
