KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for "strong decisions" from Ukraine's allies after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv early Monday, killing at least a dozen people and injuring dozens more in one of the deadliest strikes on the capital this year, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The overnight assault came on the eve of a NATO summit in Ankara, where Ukraine's air defense needs are expected to feature prominently on the agenda. Ukrainian officials said rescue teams continued searching damaged residential buildings for survivors, warning the death toll could rise.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and the city's military administration said residential districts suffered extensive damage after waves of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones struck the capital. Emergency crews responded to multiple fires and partially collapsed apartment buildings while residents sought shelter in metro stations during the attack.
In a statement, Zelenskyy urged partners, including the United States and European allies, to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses.
"It is critically important that the world, first and foremost the United States and our European partners, come out of the NATO Summit in Ankara with strong decisions in support of our air defence," Zelenskyy said, renewing calls for additional Patriot air defense systems and interceptor missiles.
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 68 missiles and 351 drones during the attack. It reported intercepting dozens of missiles and most of the drones but acknowledged that ballistic missiles remained difficult to stop because of limited interceptor supplies.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces had targeted military and energy infrastructure. Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield claims or the intended targets of the strikes.
The latest barrage followed another deadly attack on Kyiv several days earlier, underscoring an intensification of long-range strikes by both sides as the war entered its fifth year. Ukraine has also increased drone attacks on targets inside Russia in recent weeks, while Moscow has continued large-scale aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities.
The attack is expected to add urgency to discussions among NATO leaders over continued military support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy is scheduled to hold meetings with allied leaders during the summit as Kyiv seeks additional air defense systems, ammunition and long-term security assistance.
