Russia Unleashes Missile, Drone Barrage On Kyiv Ahead Of NATO Summit; Five Dead

Published 6 July 2026 · world

Russia Unleashes Missile, Drone Barrage On Kyiv Ahead Of NATO Summit; Five Dead Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 08:04 IST Fresh explosions rocked

Russia Unleashes Missile, Drone Barrage On Kyiv Ahead Of NATO Summit; Five Dead Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 08:04 IST Fresh explosions rocked Kyiv as Russia launched missiles and drones ahead of the NATO summit, damaging residential buildings and prompting large-scale rescue operations. The damaged apartment interior in the ruined building following Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine (Photo: AP) Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, killing at least five people and injuring several others, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack, which involved ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, struck residential buildings across multiple districts of the city and came on the eve of this week’s NATO summit, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to hold talks with US President Donald Trump. Authorities said the attack began overnight and continued into the early hours of Monday, with repeated explosions echoing across Kyiv as air defence systems attempted to intercept incoming missiles and drones. Reuters reported that witnesses heard a series of explosions in and around the capital while Ukrainian air defences were in operation against Russian drones.

AFP journalists also reported hearing more than 10 explosions during a ballistic missile alert before witnessing another series of blasts roughly 30 minutes later. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that air defence systems were responding to the attack and urged residents to remain in shelters. RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS DAMAGED, RESCUE OPERATIONS LAUNCHED The strikes caused extensive damage to residential neighbourhoods across the city. According to Reuters, at least four apartment buildings were hit in Kyiv’s historic Podilskyi district alone. A residential building in the area partially collapsed, prompting emergency crews to launch rescue operations. Klitschko said rescuers evacuated 15 people from the damaged building, including three women and six children from the upper floors. Reuters reported that three apartment buildings were also struck in the eastern Darnytskyi district, where many people were killed in another Russian attack last week. AP reported that several multi-storey residential buildings in the district were damaged, with authorities fearing people could be trapped beneath the rubble. Residents sought shelter inside Kyiv’s metro stations and underground parking garages as smoke spread across parts of the city.