Russian strikes kill 24 in Kyiv ahead of NATO summit

On July 6, 2026, Russian missile and drone strikes hit the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, killing at least 24 people and wounding many others. The attack came just as NATO leaders were gathering for a critical summit, which U.S. President Donald Trump was also expected to attend. One residential building was left with a gaping hole, and a mass evacuation was ordered near Kyiv due to the risk of further explosions.

The strikes were seen as a deliberate show of force by Russia ahead of the summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, while NATO leaders were set to discuss further support for Ukraine. The timing of the assault underscored the high stakes of the summit, where allies were expected to address Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.