The Russian attack on the Kyiv region left at least 14 dead and dozens injured this Monday, on the eve of the NATO summit in Ankara, where the President of the United States, Donald Trump, is scheduled to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to address the war.
Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia launched ballistic missiles at the capital and its surroundings during the early hours. The attack was the second bombing of the Kyiv area in less than a week and reflected the increase in long-range offensives by both sides, more than four years after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.
The head of the Kyiv region military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, confirmed the attack via Telegram. “The enemy is attacking with ballistic missiles,” he wrote. For his part, the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, reported that air defense systems were activated and asked the population to remain in shelters while the threat continued.
According to Tkachenko, the shelling caused four fires in residential buildings. “Places where people were simply sleeping tonight,” the official stated. Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia launched ballistic missiles at the capital and its surroundings during the early hours of the morning.
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The authorities indicated that ten people died in the city of Kyiv and another in the Bucha district, northwest of the capital. In addition, at least 46 people suffered injuries in Kyiv and its surroundings (including five injured children).
Faced with the magnitude of the attack, Tkachenko stated: “There are no words that can ease this pain. Unfortunately, this is not the final toll. Rescue operations are continuing.”.
The bombing occurred as long-range attacks between both countries are increasing. In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified its offensives against energy facilities within Russian territory with the aim of affecting the Kremlin’s logistical and military capacity. It also reached areas of Ukraine under Moscow’s control since before the invasion that began in 2022.
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On the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Russia, Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev reported that a Ukrainian attack near Sevastopol temporarily disrupted the power supply.
“Following an enemy attack on energy infrastructure near Sevastopol, our city was temporarily left without electricity,” wrote Razvozhayev on Telegram.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, stated that Russian air defenses shot down several waves of drones that were heading toward the Russian capital.
On the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia, Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev reported that a Ukrainian attack near Sevastopol temporarily disrupted the power supply.
The new episode of violence coincided with the preparations for the NATO summit that will begin this Tuesday in Ankara. The White House confirmed that Trump will hold a meeting with Zelensky on Wednesday to analyze the conflict.
A senior U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the AFP agency, explained the goal of the meeting. “The president will obviously meet with him to talk about how we can end the war. That has been a priority of his for a long time,” he stated.
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The same source indicated that, after the meeting with Zelensky, Trump will speak with Vladimir Putin to try to reactivate diplomatic contacts, which have remained stalled for several months.
Meanwhile, fighting continues in eastern Ukraine. Zelensky stated on Sunday that Ukrainian forces are maintaining the defense of the strategic city of Kostiantinivka, considered a key point for controlling positions in the Donetsk region.
Russia claimed on Friday that it took that town, although Kyiv rejected that version.
“Fighting also continues around Kostiantynivka, which Putin has already claimed as his own, but it is evident that he will never dare to appear there,” declared Zelensky in his nightly message.
The new episode of violence coincided with the preparations for the NATO summit that will begin this Tuesday in Ankara.
The Ukrainian president also warned that Moscow is preparing new large-scale attacks before the start of the NATO summit.
Two days before the bombing of Kyiv, Trump spoke separately by phone with Putin and Zelensky in the context of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence. Those contacts preceded a new round of diplomatic efforts that Washington will attempt to push during the Atlantic alliance meeting, while clashes continue both on the front lines and in long-range attacks on Russian and Ukrainian territory.
