Russian missiles wound eight in Kyiv hours after Zelensky warning, as drone war hits Russian fuel
Russian strikes on Kyiv wounded at least eight people early Monday, damaging a residential complex, while Ukraine rejected a proposed six-hour ceasefire and its drone campaign against Russian oil infrastructure reached a record intensity.
Kyiv under fire
Russian missile attacks on Kyiv wounded eight people in the early hours of Monday, according to Ukrainian media. A residential complex was struck between the seventh and ninth floors, and two other civilian targets were hit. Explosions were heard across the city from 01:40 to 03:15 local time. Kyiv mayor reported five wounded inside the city and three more in nearby Bucha, all taken to hospital. Garages and a department store were also damaged, and some districts suffered power outages.
If Kostiantynivka is indeed under Russian control, then perhaps Putin has no problem meeting there.
Ceasefire proposal rejected
Russia said Ukraine had rejected a proposed six-hour ceasefire around the eastern city of Kostiantynivka, which Moscow claims to have captured. The truce, intended to allow a prisoner exchange on Monday, was given a deadline of Sunday afternoon for a Ukrainian response. Ukraine has not publicly commented on the claim. Zelensky had earlier taunted Putin on social media, suggesting a meeting in Kostiantynivka if Russia truly controlled it. The Kremlin replied that if the invitation meant Zelensky was willing to travel to Russian territory, he would be welcome in Moscow.
Drone campaign cripples Russian fuel
Ukraine's long-range drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure have surged to record levels. In May alone, 16 Russian refineries were hit, the highest monthly total, according to an FT analysis of data from Rochan Consulting. Since the start of the year, 194 attacks on refineries have been recorded, an elevenfold increase on the same period in 2025. Ukraine claims to have disabled 43 percent of Russia's fuel supply. Fuel shortages are now widespread, with long queues at petrol stations even in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and several regions have imposed sales restrictions. Export bans have also been introduced.
Ukraine owes its success to a technological breakthrough that allows them to produce more long-range drones.
There are some problems, but the Russian armed forces remain on the winning side.
Diplomatic maneuvering
US President Donald Trump spoke with Putin for 90 minutes on Saturday, offering to discuss the war at this week's NATO summit in Ankara. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the call as "businesslike" and "rather constructive" but gave no details of any concrete outcomes. Zelensky and Trump are scheduled to meet on Wednesday on the sidelines of the summit, part of a renewed push to end the conflict.
- Ukraine hits record 16 Russian oil refineries in one month.
- Putin admits drone attacks are a problem for Russia.
- Trump and Putin hold 90-minute phone call.
- Russia proposes 6-hour ceasefire around Kostiantynivka; Ukraine rejects.
- Russian missile strikes wound 8 in Kyiv, damage residential complex.
- Zelensky and Trump to meet at NATO summit in Ankara.
What's next
The Kyiv attack came just hours after Zelensky warned of heavy Russian strikes. Meanwhile, Ukraine's drone campaign shows no sign of slowing: 32,000 drones were fired in May and June alone, with roughly half of Russia's claimed interceptions this year occurring in those two months. The strikes have also targeted factories producing for the Russian military, with 13 such facilities hit in June, the highest monthly figure this year.
