Russia strikes Kyiv with ballistic missiles, killing at least 10 on eve of NATO summit

The attack

Russian forces launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones at Kyiv in the early hours of Monday, July 6, triggering air raid sirens across the capital. AFP journalists reported hearing dozens of explosions. The assault came less than a week after a Russian strike on Thursday killed 30 people in the city, the deadliest single attack on Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The enemy is launching ballistic missiles.

Casualties and damage

Local authorities reported at least 10 dead across the Kyiv region, with 9 killed in the capital and 46 injured, according to Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration. In the Bucha district, one person died and 10 were wounded. Debris struck a 25-story apartment building in the Darnytskyi district, trapping residents on upper floors, and a 21-story building in the historic Podilskyi district sustained heavy damage. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said rescue teams worked for hours to free people from the rubble.

People are trapped from the 7th to the 9th floor.

NATO summit overshadowed

The strikes occurred on the eve of a NATO summit in Ankara, where the war in Ukraine is expected to dominate the agenda. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the alliance would discuss further strengthening Ukraine's air defenses. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called air defense the country's most urgent need.

Last night, the Russian regime once again blindly attacked civilians from the air, with over 400 drones and missiles striking the capital. Ukraine urgently needs more air defense. We will discuss this this week in Ankara at the NATO Summit.

Protect Ukraine's children from Russian ballistic terrorism! There is no more urgent task. This is our main message for the NATO summit this week.

Retaliation and escalation

Russia's defense ministry confirmed a "massive" attack, saying it used long-range precision weapons against military and energy facilities in Kyiv and military airfields in other regions. Moscow described the strikes as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, including a barrage of nearly 500 missiles and drones targeting the Leningrad region on Friday night. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had warned of an impending Russian strike, said the timing was deliberate.

This is characteristic of Putin: right after US Independence Day and just before the NATO Summit in Ankara.

Sevastopol blackout

Separately, a Ukrainian strike on energy infrastructure in Russian-occupied Crimea caused a power outage in Sevastopol early Monday. The Russian-installed governor, Mikhail Razvazhayev, said a special regime was in effect and public services were operating on backup power.