Russian missiles strike Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, for third time in a week | Russia-Ukraine war News
Russian Missile Strikes Kyiv Amid Renewed Conflict
Kyiv, Ukraine — Russian missile attacks targeted Kyiv on Wednesday, marking the third significant strike on the Ukrainian capital in less than a week. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported via Telegram that the attacks caused fires in two districts of the city. As of now, there are no confirmed reports of casualties or extensive damage.
On Monday, a large-scale attack by Russian forces resulted in at least 14 deaths and damage to multiple buildings in Kyiv. The ongoing hostilities have seen both Russia and Ukraine escalate their use of long-range weaponry, including missiles, introducing a new chapter in the four-year conflict.
In a countermeasure, Ukraine has intensified its operations against Russian energy facilities to disrupt its adversary’s military capabilities. Over the past two days, Ukrainian drones targeted around a dozen tankers from what has been described as Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which were delivering fuel to Crimea. The Ukrainian military confirmed striking eight of these sanctioned vessels in the Sea of Azov, each capable of carrying around 7,000 metric tons. Additional strikes on two other tankers occurred later in the day.
The Sea of Azov serves as a critical supply route for Russian forces operating in Crimea and other occupied territories in southern Ukraine. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, a move that has not received international recognition, and subsequently launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Kremlin has not publicly commented on this week’s missile attacks, which included strikes on electrical substations, radar systems, and missile installations.
Attacks Coincide with NATO Summit
These recent hostilities occur concurrently with NATO’s annual summit, which began on Tuesday in Ankara, Turkey. The summit focuses on defense spending and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. NATO leaders are anticipated to announce additional military support for Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the alliance to bolster assistance for the country’s air defenses.
Zelenskyy, who has reiterated his call for Ukraine’s membership in NATO, announced the signing of new agreements with Estonia, the Netherlands, and Denmark during the summit. These agreements aim to facilitate joint production, the development of innovative defense technologies, expertise exchange, and the export of proven Ukrainian military solutions. Further agreements with Germany, Norway, Finland, and Canada are expected.
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy on the summit’s sidelines after engaging in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin prior to the gathering. When asked about the conflict, Trump expressed hope for a swift resolution, stating, “I think they both want to make a deal. It’s too bad it took so long, but I think something’s going to come out.”