KYIV — A large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more early Monday, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest assaults on the capital this year and less than 24 hours before NATO leaders were due to meet for a summit in Ankara.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said rescue teams were searching damaged residential buildings after ballistic missiles and drones struck multiple districts of the city. Ukraine's State Emergency Service said apartment blocks, vehicles and other civilian infrastructure were heavily damaged, with emergency crews continuing to clear debris in search of survivors.
The Kyiv regional administration said one person was also killed in the surrounding region, while local officials in the southern port city of Odesa reported injuries following separate strikes. Casualty figures remained preliminary and could rise as rescue operations continued, authorities said.
Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 68 missiles and 351 drones overnight, including ballistic missiles that it said largely penetrated the country's air defenses. Military officials said air defense units intercepted many drones and cruise missiles but were unable to stop the ballistic missiles used in the attack.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike underscored Ukraine's urgent need for additional air defense systems, particularly U.S.-made Patriot missile interceptors. Ahead of the NATO summit, he urged allies to strengthen military support to better protect Ukrainian cities from repeated aerial attacks.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces had carried out strikes against military-industrial and energy-related facilities in Ukraine. Reuters could not independently verify the Russian claim or determine the specific targets hit in Kyiv.
The attack came only days after another major Russian strike on Kyiv that Ukrainian authorities said killed more than 30 people, marking an escalation in long-range bombardments as the war entered its fifth year. Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified cross-border drone attacks in recent weeks while fighting along the front line has remained largely static.
NATO leaders are expected to discuss continued military assistance for Ukraine and broader European security at the summit in Ankara. Ukrainian officials said rescue operations in Kyiv were continuing and warned that casualty figures could change as emergency workers reached additional damaged buildings.
