- Russia launched missile, drone attack on Kyiv, killing four.
- Attack occurred day before NATO summit; Ukraine war focus.
- Zelenskyy warned of large-scale assault hours before this attack.
- Leaders discuss conflict amidst ongoing escalation and strikes.
Russia launched a fresh assault on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, early Monday, firing ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones in an attack that killed at least four people and injured 18 others.
The bombardment came a day before the NATO summit in Turkey, where the war in Ukraine is expected to dominate discussions.
Ukraine’s Air Force said the attack involved multiple types of aerial weapons, while explosions were heard across central Kyiv as air raid sirens sounded throughout the city, CNN reported.
Fires Reported Across Kyiv After Attack
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said the strikes caused fires and damage in at least two districts after missile debris fell on residential areas. Emergency services were deployed to affected locations as rescue operations continued, the report said.
According to sources, foreign soldiers serving with the Ukrainian military had been staying in one of the damaged buildings. However, Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed those claims.
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Attack Follows Zelenskyy’s Warning
The strike came less than 24 hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that intelligence assessments indicated Russia was preparing another large-scale assault.
“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 on Sunday.
The latest bombardment follows another major Russian attack on Kyiv last week that killed at least 30 people, making it one of the deadliest assaults on the Ukrainian capital since the war began.
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NATO Summit In Focus
The renewed attacks come as NATO leaders prepare to meet in Turkey, with Ukraine expected to be at the centre of discussions.
US President Donald Trump will also hold meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday during the NATO summit in Turkey, the White House has announced.
Russia has intensified its offensive in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region in recent weeks, while Kyiv has stepped up long-range drone and missile strikes targeting Russian military facilities, ports and oil infrastructure.
The diplomatic backdrop has also intensified. On July 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a nearly 90-minute phone call, during which Trump reiterated his willingness to help bring the conflict to an end, according to Russia’s foreign ministry.
