Russia missile attacks Ukraine early Monday killed at least 21 people and wounded dozens more, Ukrainian officials said. The strikes hit Kyiv and nearby areas with waves of missiles and drones.
The attack came days after another deadly strike on the capital. It also came before a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where Ukraine plans to ask allies for more air defense support.
Russia Missile Attacks Ukraine Target Kyiv
Kyiv took the heaviest damage during the overnight assault. Officials said 15 people died in the capital and 56 others suffered injuries.
In addition, six people died in the wider Kyiv region. Emergency crews searched damaged apartment buildings for survivors and pulled residents from rubble.
The strikes damaged residential high-rises and other buildings. In Kyiv’s Podilskyi district, part of a residential building collapsed after the attack.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia fired 351 drones and 68 missiles overnight. The barrage included ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and other weapons.
Air Defense Shortages Raise Concern
The attack exposed serious gaps in Ukraine’s air defense system. Ukrainian officials said all 29 ballistic missiles launched by Russia reached their targets.
Ukraine relies heavily on U.S.-made Patriot systems to intercept ballistic missiles. However, officials say the country does not have enough interceptor missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had more success against drones and cruise missiles. Still, he said the larger problem remains stopping ballistic missiles.
Zelenskyy urged the United States and European allies to send more air defense support. He said stronger decisions are needed to protect civilians.
Russia Says It Hit Military Sites
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces targeted weapons factories, air defense repair sites, fuel facilities and energy infrastructure. Independent observers have not verified those claims.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks have repeatedly hit civilian areas during the war. The United Nations says more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have died since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Monday’s assault followed a deadly strike last week that killed at least 31 people in Kyiv. That attack marked the deadliest strike on the capital so far this year.
NATO Summit Adds Pressure
The latest strikes will likely increase pressure on NATO leaders. Ukraine has repeatedly asked allies for more air defense systems and ammunition.
At the same time, Russia and Ukraine continue long-range attacks. Ukraine has increased drone strikes on Russian supply routes and energy sites to weaken Moscow’s war effort.
Russia has responded with large-scale attacks on Ukrainian cities. Analysts say Moscow is trying to exploit Ukraine’s shortage of air defense interceptors.
Civilian Toll Remains Central
For civilians in Kyiv, the attacks brought another night of explosions, fires and rescue operations. Families left damaged buildings while crews searched for people trapped under rubble.
The assault also showed how the war continues far beyond the front line. Homes, power systems and neighborhoods remain vulnerable to missile and drone strikes.
As Ukraine seeks more support from allies, Monday’s attack became another reminder of the civilian cost of the war. The next decisions by NATO members could shape how well Ukrainian cities defend themselves in the months ahead.