Putin’s brutal message: Russia launches massive missile barrage on Kyiv ahead of NATO summit

Russia has launched one of its most intensive aerial assaults on Ukraine in recent weeks, firing 351 drones and 68 missiles at targets across the country. At least 14 people were killed in Kyiv alone during the overnight attack, continuing a devastating pattern of strikes on the Ukrainian capital. The bombardment comes just days after what was described as the deadliest night for Kyiv since the beginning of the year, when 31 civilians were killed in a single strike.

The timing of the assault appears deliberately provocative, coinciding with intensifying diplomatic activity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend a NATO summit in Turkey where he is anticipated to request additional Patriot air defence systems and military aid worth tens of billions of dollars. The strike also follows a 90-minute telephone conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, suggesting Moscow may be attempting to demonstrate its military capabilities and resolve ahead of potential peace negotiations.

Russia has also deployed its newly developed Oreshnik hypersonic missile system in the assault, marking an escalation in the weapons being used against Ukrainian targets. Analysts suggest Putin is attempting to link Iranian involvement to the military campaign, potentially to reinforce his negotiating position and complicate diplomatic efforts. The combination of increased military pressure and the missile deployment appears designed as a show of force ahead of the NATO discussions and anticipated discussions between Trump and Zelensky.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.