Russian Missile And Drone Barrage On Kyiv Kills Dozens As Ukraine Urges More Air Defenses
Russia launched one of its largest combined missile and drone attacks against Kyiv early Monday, leaving widespread destruction across the Ukrainian capital and killing at least 22 people.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the attack involved 68 missiles and more than 350 drones, overwhelming parts of the country's air defense network. While many cruise missiles and drones were intercepted, officials said ballistic missiles successfully reached several targets, exposing growing challenges in defending major cities against increasingly sophisticated attacks.
Emergency crews worked throughout the day to rescue survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings and extinguish fires caused by the strikes. Images from Kyiv showed heavily damaged apartment blocks, shattered windows, and rescue workers searching through rubble as residents tried to recover from the devastation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack and renewed his appeal for additional Patriot air defense systems and interceptor missiles from international allies. He said strengthening Ukraine's defensive capabilities is essential to protecting civilians from continued aerial bombardments and preventing further loss of life.
The latest assault comes just ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Turkiye, where Ukraine's security needs and military assistance are expected to be central topics of discussion. Western leaders are likely to consider additional measures aimed at reinforcing Ukraine's air defenses and maintaining support for the country as the conflict enters another critical phase.
Military analysts say the renewed wave of attacks reflects the continuing intensity of the conflict, with both Russia and Ukraine carrying out long range strikes against strategic targets. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the fighting shows little sign of easing, leaving civilians to bear the heavy consequences of the prolonged war.
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