By Beatrice Mose
Several people were killed and dozens injured after Russia launched a fresh wave of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, on Monday, just hours before the opening of a crucial NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The latest attack has intensified concerns over the ongoing war and renewed calls for stronger Western military support for Ukraine.
The overnight assault targeted residential neighbourhoods and key infrastructure across Kyiv, with emergency crews rushing to rescue civilians trapped beneath the rubble of damaged apartment buildings. Fires broke out in several districts as air raid sirens echoed throughout the city.
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Local officials described the attack as the latest in a series of intensified Russian bombardments targeting the Ukrainian capital.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that rescue operations were underway and said the Podilskyi district suffered some of the heaviest damage.
"There was destruction and damage in several districts of the capital," Klitschko said, urging residents to remain in shelters as emergency services continued their work.
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The attack comes at a critical moment as world leaders gather for the NATO summit, where the war in Ukraine is expected to dominate discussions.
President Zelenskyy is expected to press allies for additional air defence systems, particularly U.S.-made Patriot missile interceptors, which Ukraine says are essential for protecting civilians from Russia's increasingly frequent ballistic missile attacks.
"It is critically important that the world — first and foremost the United States and our European partners — comes out of the NATO summit with strong decisions in support of our air defence," Zelenskyy said.
President Trump has expressed optimism that diplomatic efforts could eventually help bring an end to the conflict, although Russian President Vladimir Putin has continued to maintain his demands regarding Ukrainian territory.
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The latest strikes highlight the challenges facing peace efforts as the conflict continues to claim civilian lives and destroy vital infrastructure.
The renewed attacks underscore the urgency of international efforts to strengthen Ukraine's defences while pursuing a diplomatic solution to Europe's largest conflict in decades.
