Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and its surrounding regions killed at least 11 people and injured dozens more early Monday. The assault, which damaged more than a dozen residential buildings in Kyiv, marks the second large-scale attack on the capital in less than a week. Authorities reported at least 10 fatalities and 46 injuries within Kyiv, with an additional death and 10 injuries occurring in districts surrounding the capital.

This latest barrage comes just ahead of a crucial NATO summit in Turkiye, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with United States President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy had warned on Sunday of a potential Russian assault in the lead-up to the summit, stating that intelligence indicated Russia was preparing a new massive strike. He characterized these attacks as typical of Russia's strategy, occurring after American Independence Day and before significant international meetings.

Ukraine's military reported that Russia launched 68 missiles and 351 drones overnight. The first explosions in Kyiv were heard around 1:40 a.m. local time, followed by subsequent strikes. Thousands of residents sought refuge in underground shelters as air raid sirens wailed across the country. In Kyiv, at least 15 buildings sustained damage, including four in the historic Podilskyi district. Rescue operations are ongoing, and officials cautioned that the death toll might still increase.

The recent escalation in strikes highlights a new phase in the four-year conflict, with both Russia and Ukraine increasingly utilizing long-range weapons. Ukraine has recently targeted Russian energy infrastructure in an effort to disrupt its war capabilities. In a separate incident, a Ukrainian strike near Sevastopol, a Black Sea port in Crimea, reportedly disrupted electricity supplies to the area, according to Mikhail Razvozhayev, the governor of Russian-controlled Sevastopol.

Last week, Russia conducted a significant attack on Kyiv, deploying dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones that resulted in 31 fatalities, making it the deadliest assault on the capital this year. The intensity and frequency of these attacks underscore the ongoing challenges in Ukraine and the potential for continued escalation as international diplomatic efforts, like the upcoming NATO summit, take place.

Officials are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and casualties from Monday's strikes. The attacks serve as a stark reminder of the persistent threat to civilian populations in Ukraine, even as international attention turns to diplomatic solutions and alliance strategies at the NATO summit.

The strategic timing of these attacks, preceding major international discussions, suggests a deliberate effort by Russia to exert pressure and potentially influence the outcomes of diplomatic engagements.

Further details on the impact on critical infrastructure and the ongoing rescue efforts are expected to emerge as the situation develops.