Russia attacks Kyiv as Zelensky speaks with world leaders

Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with missiles on Thursday, June 18, 2026, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in high-level discussions with international leaders regarding a peace settlement. Explosions were heard in Kyiv, and authorities in the northeastern city of Sumy reported one fatality from a drone strike.

Kyiv's military administration urged residents to seek shelter, announcing on Telegram that "The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic missiles. Stay in safe places until the air raid alert is over!" Air raid alerts were issued across most of Ukraine.

President Zelenskyy participated in "coordinating conversations" with US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, among other leaders at a Group of Seven meeting. These discussions aimed to find a path toward ending the protracted Russian war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year. The strike on Kyiv marks the second aerial assault by Russia this week, following a significant attack on Monday that damaged a historic monastery and resulted in 10 deaths.

Meanwhile, reports from other regions indicated continued conflict. In Enerhodar, near the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a Russian-appointed mayor claimed Ukrainian strikes killed one person and injured four. In Russia's Belgorod border region, officials reported a Ukrainian drone strike killed one man. Moscow has accused Ukraine of attacking a bus carrying Belarusian schoolchildren, an allegation Kyiv denies. Reuters stated it could not independently verify these reports.

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The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic missiles. Stay in safe places until the air raid alert is over!