Russia unleashed a massive barrage of 68 missiles and 351 drones against Kyiv overnight on 6 July, killing at least 22 people and wounding dozens in one of the largest aerial assaults on the Ukrainian capital in months.
Ukrainian air defences downed a high proportion of cruise missiles but failed to intercept any ballistic weapons, underscoring the deficiencies President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pressed allies to address at the NATO summit in Ankara. The bombardment continued into 8 July, with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reporting strikes ignited fires in two city districts.
The escalation coincides with alliance deliberations over a commitment to 70 billion euros in military support for Ukraine across this year and next, as Moscow seeks to demonstrate its capacity to inflict damage despite diplomatic pressure.