Ukraine and Russia trade massive strikes as NATO summit opens in Ankara

Russian strikes on Kyiv

Russian forces launched a combined missile and drone attack on Kyiv in the early hours of 6 July, firing 68 missiles of various types and 351 drones, according to the Ukrainian general staff. The barrage included Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 3M22 Zirkon/Onyx cruise missiles, and air-launched cruise missiles. Ukrainian air defenses shot down a high proportion of the cruise missiles and drones but failed to intercept a single ballistic missile, air force spokesman Jurij Ihnat said, citing a critical shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles.

This is in Putin's spirit — immediately after American Independence Day and before the NATO summit in Ankara. Russia wants to cause more evil and kill people.

The attack killed between 21 and 26 people, depending on the source, and injured around 90. Residential buildings were hit, some partially collapsed. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported fires in two districts, and the air raid siren sounded only after the first explosions. It was the third ballistic missile strike on the capital in a week.

Ukraine's drone offensive on Moscow

Hours before the NATO summit opened, Ukraine launched what Moscow described as its largest drone attack on the Russian capital. Mayor Sergej Sobjanin said more than 430 drones were aimed at Moscow starting Monday evening. Most were neutralized far from the city, and 36 were destroyed on approach. Russia's defense ministry reported 452 unmanned aerial vehicles intercepted over 17 regions. Moscow's airports were closed for hours, though no damage was reported in the city.

The majority were neutralized by air defense already at a great distance. 36 enemy drones were destroyed on approach to Moscow.

In Belgorod, a rocket attack set a Gazprom pipe factory ablaze and killed one person, governor Alexandr Schuwajew said. In Kaluga, six drones sparked a fire at an industrial site, reportedly an oil facility. The attacks followed a Ukrainian strike on the Omsk refinery in Siberia on Monday, over 2,400 km from Ukrainian-held territory. That refinery is Russia's largest, with a capacity of more than 20 million tons per year.

NATO summit and the push for Patriots

President Zelenskyj arrived in Ankara seeking concrete commitments on air defense. He is expected to meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines. Zelenskyj has repeatedly warned that Ukraine's stock of Patriot interceptor missiles is nearly exhausted, leaving cities vulnerable to ballistic missiles. Defense Minister Mychajlo Fedorow noted that global production of Patriot missiles is lower than the rate at which Russia fires ballistic weapons at Ukraine.

It is simply nonsense that production in today's world is still not at the level actually needed to protect people from ballistic terror.

Zelenskyj hinted that Ukraine could manufacture Patriot missiles itself if the US granted licenses and approval. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on member states to ensure Ukraine gets everything it needs to defend its sovereignty. The US war against Iran has further strained global stocks of interceptor missiles, several reports noted.

Impact on Russian infrastructure

Ukraine has systematically targeted Russian oil refineries with long-range drones in recent months. The Omsk strike and the Kaluga fire are the latest in a campaign that has caused fuel shortages across most Russian regions. Gas stations are rationing petrol and diesel. On the annexed Crimean peninsula, daily drone attacks on military logistics, refineries, and power plants have led to blackouts, fuel and food shortages, and an official state of emergency. One resident described the situation as "catastrophic," reminiscent of the chaotic 1990s.