Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv early Monday morning, with the assault coming a day before a key NATO summit in Turkey that US President Donald Trump is expected to attend, according to CNN.
Attack Details and Immediate Impact
Ukraine's air force reported that the attack involved ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles. Explosions were heard across central Kyiv in the early hours as the assault unfolded. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko stated that at least two districts of the city reported fires or damage caused by falling debris. Air raid sirens had been activated across the capital shortly before the explosions.
Zelensky's Warning and Context
The latest attack came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Sunday that intelligence suggested Russia was "preparing a new massive strike." Zelensky wrote on X: "Intelligence once again indicates that the Russians are preparing a new massive strike. This is typical of Putin: right after America's Independence Day and before the NATO Summit in Ankara. Russia wants to bring more evil and kill people."
Recent Deadly Assaults and Strategic Context
The strike follows a major Russian attack on Kyiv last Thursday that killed at least 30 people, marking the third-deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since the war began, as reported by CNN. Russia's war in Ukraine is expected to dominate discussions at the NATO summit, which begins on Tuesday in Ankara. Russian forces have intensified efforts to capture more territory in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, a key objective for the Kremlin. At the same time, Ukraine has increased missile and drone strikes targeting key infrastructure inside Russian territory, including oil refineries, ports, and military factories.
Trump-Putin Phone Call
According to CNN, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a phone call on July 4 that lasted nearly 90 minutes. During the conversation, Trump again offered to help bring an end to the war in Ukraine, Russia's foreign ministry said.
