Kyiv Hit By Russian Ballistic Missiles Ahead Of Key NATO Summit In Turkey

Kyiv Hit by Russian Ballistic Missiles Ahead of Key NATO Summit in Turkey Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, came under a heavy Russian ballistic missile attack, according to Ukraine’s air force, in a major escalation on the eve of a critical NATO summit in Turkey that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend. The overnight strike involved a combination of ballistic missiles and drones targeting multiple areas of the capital, with explosions reported across the city as air defence systems were activated. The assault forms part of an intensified wave of Russian attacks in recent days, which Ukrainian officials say are aimed at weakening infrastructure and morale ahead of renewed diplomatic discussions at the NATO summit. Ukrainian authorities said the attack caused significant damage across residential districts, with emergency services responding to fires and collapsed buildings. Early reports indicate casualties, though full figures are still being assessed as rescue operations continue in affected areas. The timing of the strike has drawn international attention, coming just hours before NATO leaders are set to gather in Turkey to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, defence spending commitments, and additional military support for Kyiv. The presence of U.S. President Donald Trump at the summit is expected to heighten diplomatic focus on potential pathways toward de-escalation and security guarantees for Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia’s intensified bombardment underscores a critical shortage of air defence systems, particularly interceptor missiles, calling on Western allies to urgently increase military assistance. President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to raise the issue during the NATO meetings, urging stronger commitments to protect Ukrainian cities from repeated aerial assaults. Russia has not immediately commented on the latest strike, but has previously stated that its attacks target military infrastructure rather than civilian areas, a claim consistently disputed by Ukrainian authorities and international observers. The attack adds further tension to an already volatile diplomatic backdrop, with the NATO summit expected to focus heavily on Ukraine’s defence needs and the broader security implications of the prolonged conflict.