Kyiv, Ukraine – At least 21 people have been killed after Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and surrounding areas, just days before a key NATO summit in Ankara, where U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to Ukrainian officials, 15 people died in Kyiv while another six were killed in the surrounding region. Dozens more were injured as ballistic missiles and attack drones struck residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure.
Emergency crews worked through the night to rescue residents trapped beneath collapsed apartment buildings. Several homes were destroyed, vehicles caught fire, and entire families were affected by the bombardment.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said four districts suffered damage, with the Podilsky district experiencing the most severe destruction. Rescue teams evacuated residents, including children, from damaged high-rise buildings as air raid sirens forced thousands into shelters.
The attack came only days after another deadly Russian strike on Kyiv that killed dozens of civilians. The United Nations has warned that civilian casualties in Ukraine during 2026 have risen significantly compared with the same period last year.
Before the latest assault, President Zelensky accused Moscow of preparing another large-scale attack and urged Ukraine’s allies to strengthen the country’s air defense capabilities.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched more than 350 drones and 66 missiles overnight, targeting multiple regions across the country, with Kyiv as the primary objective. Officials said numerous ballistic missiles reached their targets despite Ukraine’s air defense efforts.
The strikes also caused power outages in several regions, including Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that its forces targeted military-industrial facilities and energy infrastructure in Kyiv using long-range precision weapons. Moscow said the operation was carried out in response to Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure inside Russian territory.
Meanwhile, Ukraine announced that it had conducted a long-range strike against one of Russia’s largest oil refineries, continuing its campaign against Russian energy facilities.
NATO Summit to Focus on Ukraine
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine is expected to dominate discussions at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. President Trump is scheduled to meet with President Zelensky during the gathering after also holding a lengthy phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Zelensky has renewed calls for additional Patriot air defense missiles, arguing that stronger air defense systems are essential to protect Ukrainian cities from Russia’s increasing use of ballistic missiles and advanced drones.
European leaders are also expected to discuss further military assistance for Ukraine during the summit as the conflict continues to escalate.
This is a developing story. Taarifa Rwanda will provide updates as more information becomes available.
