Russian strike kills 14 in Kyiv ahead of crucial NATO summit

Russia fired missiles and drones into residential buildings in Kyiv for the second time in a week, killing at least 14 people on the eve of a crucial NATO summit. The attack occurred just days after another Russian strike killed over 30 people in the capital.

President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the alliance to take "strong decisions" on bolstering Ukraine's air defenses. The European Union also stated that Ukraine requires reinforcements for its air defense systems. The morning strike created a crater in a multi-story apartment block, tearing its top floors apart.

AFP reporters heard more than 10 explosions during a ballistic missile alert overnight. This marks the second attack in a week employing hard-to-intercept ballistic missiles, prompting Zelensky's urgent plea for allies to send advanced missiles for U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems. He is scheduled to discuss the war with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.

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It is critically important that the world –- first and foremost the United States and our European partners –- come out of the NATO Summit in Ankara with strong decisions in support of our air defense, and thus the protection of ordinary people’s lives.

"It is critically important that the world –- first and foremost the United States and our European partners –- come out of the NATO Summit in Ankara with strong decisions in support of our air defense, and thus the protection of ordinary people’s lives," Zelensky stated on social media. Around 60 more people were wounded in the attack, according to officials.

Russia's defense ministry asserted it conducted a "massive strike" using missiles and drones against "military-industrial enterprises" and energy facilities in several Ukrainian regions. However, officials in Kyiv reported that approximately 30 residential buildings were hit, and rescuers were still sifting through the rubble hours later.

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At 1:30 am, a powerful hit occurred. A blast wave, all the windows blew out. And then it hit three more times. Glass was falling down. There wasn’t a single pane of glass left in the apartment.