Russia Launches Deadly Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv, Ukraine Ahead of NATO Summit
Russia launched one of its deadliest aerial assaults on Kyiv in recent days, firing dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones into Ukraine's capital early Monday 6th July, 2026, just a day before the NATO Summit. The attack killed at least 22 people, injured nearly 90 others, and came just one day before a key NATO summit where Ukraine's security and military support are expected to dominate discussions.
The latest Russia missile attack on Kyiv follows another devastating strike just days earlier that left more than 30 people dead, raising fresh concerns over Moscow's escalating campaign against Ukrainian cities.
Russia Missile Attack on Kyiv Leaves 22 Dead
According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia fired 68 missiles and 351 attack drones overnight, targeting multiple regions across Ukraine. Kyiv suffered the heaviest losses after several residential buildings were struck.
One ballistic missile ripped through a multi-storey apartment block in the Podilsky district, splitting the structure in half and leaving rescue workers searching for survivors beneath the rubble. Officials confirmed that 15 people were killed in Kyiv, while another seven died in the nearby town of Vyshneve. Nearly 90 people were injured.
Emergency responders spent hours recovering victims from collapsed buildings as residents described scenes of destruction and panic.
"I felt the need to pray," said Oleksandr Kolomiyets, who witnessed rescue teams pull bodies from the ruins.
Anna Misko, a resident who survived alongside her child after seeking shelter on the ground floor, described their escape as "a miracle."
"There is no place that is truly safe anymore," she said.
Authorities estimate that around 30 residential buildings across Kyiv were damaged during the assault.
Zelensky Urges NATO to Strengthen Ukraine's Air Defences
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed calls for Western allies to strengthen Ukraine's air defence systems, saying the country's biggest challenge remains intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
"Our warriors successfully intercepted drones and cruise missiles, but unfortunately not the Russian ballistic missiles," Zelensky said.
He attributed the failures to a shortage of interceptor missiles for the U.S.-made Patriot air defence systems and urged NATO members to approve additional military assistance during the summit in Turkey. Zelensky is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the summit as both leaders discuss continued support for Ukraine and possible diplomatic solutions to the war.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also emphasized the importance of sustained military assistance, saying allies must ensure Ukraine receives the support it needs.
Russia Says Military Infrastructure Was Targeted
Russia's Defence Ministry defended the operation, saying its "massive strike" targeted military-industrial facilities as well as fuel and energy infrastructure across several Ukrainian regions. Ukrainian officials, however, say the attacks caused extensive damage to civilian neighbourhoods and residential apartment blocks, leading to significant civilian casualties.
The strike is the second time in less than a week that Russia has used hard-to-intercept ballistic missiles against Kyiv.
Ukraine Responds with Deep Strike Inside Russia
As rescue operations continued in Ukraine, Kyiv announced it had carried out a successful drone strike on an oil refinery in Russia's Omsk region, approximately 2,500 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine's military said the refinery supplies fuel to Russian occupation forces operating in Ukraine.
Regional officials in Omsk confirmed the attack but reported no casualties.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed its air defence systems intercepted more than 500 Ukrainian drones overnight. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said several waves of drones had been heading toward the Russian capital.
Trump and Zelensky Expected to Hold NATO Summit Talks
The latest escalation comes as international diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled.
The White House has confirmed that Trump and Zelensky are expected to meet during the NATO summit to discuss military assistance and prospects for peace negotiations.
According to a senior U.S. official, Trump also plans to continue diplomatic engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to revive negotiations.
However, Moscow has shown little indication that it intends to soften its position.
What the Latest Kyiv Attack Means
The latest Russia missile attack on Kyiv demonstrates the increasing intensity of the war as both sides expand the scale and reach of their operations.
For Ukraine, the attack reinforces the urgent need for enhanced air defence capabilities. For NATO leaders gathering this week, it adds further pressure to deliver concrete commitments on military assistance while exploring renewed diplomatic efforts to end Europe's largest conflict in decades.
As rescue workers continue searching through the rubble, the humanitarian toll of the Russia-Ukraine war continues to grow, with civilians once again paying the highest price.
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