Russian attacks on Ukraine kill 11 on eve of NATO summit, authorities say

What Happened

In the early hours of Monday, Russian forces launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv and surrounding districts, killing at least 11 people and injuring 56, according to Ukrainian authorities. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, reported 10 dead and 46 injured in the capital, with at least 15 buildings damaged including four in the historic Podilskyi district. One person was killed and 10 others injured in districts surrounding Kyiv. Ukraine’s military said Russia fired 68 missiles and 351 drones overnight, with initial explosions heard around 1:40am local time. The assault followed an explicit warning by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday that intelligence indicated Russia was preparing a ‘new massive strike’ ahead of the NATO summit in Turkiye. Separately, Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol in Crimea, claimed a Ukrainian strike on energy infrastructure near the city caused a temporary blackout.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The strike on Kyiv, the second large-scale attack in less than a week, underscores Russia’s intensification of long-range aerial bombardments, which both sides have escalated. The timing—on the eve of a NATO summit in Turkiye where Zelenskyy is to meet US President Trump—signals a deliberate attempt to pressure Ukraine and its allies ahead of high-level diplomatic engagements. The attack also highlights the continued vulnerability of Ukrainian cities and the civilian toll of the war.

Watch For

Monitor the NATO summit in Turkiye beginning Tuesday, where Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump and allied discussions may produce new aid commitments or strategic shifts. In Ukraine, rescue operations continue and the death toll may rise. The reported blackout in Russian-controlled Sevastopol should be watched for further Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure in Crimea. Expect possible additional Russian barrages coinciding with the summit.