Zelenskyj demands Western air defense and summit decisions after heavy attack on Kyiv

According to Zelensky, at least eleven people were killed and around 60 others injured in the Kyiv region. In addition, three more deaths and 16 injuries were reported in the surrounding areas. The exact number of victims has not yet been definitively confirmed by the authorities; some sources at times spoke of ten dead in Kyiv.

According to Zelensky, the Russian military used 68 cruise missiles and missiles during the night. While Ukrainian forces, in his words, had achieved good results in intercepting drones and cruise missiles, capabilities to counter ballistic missiles were still lacking. Kyiv says it depends on Western systems such as the US Patriot air defense system to intercept ballistic missiles.

Zelensky's appeal to the allies

Against the backdrop of this situation, Zelensky addressed a direct appeal to the allies: "It is extremely important that the world, and above all America and our European partners, bring strong decisions from the NATO summit to support our air defense and protect civilians". At the same time, he criticized that Patriot missiles are "gathering dust" in allied stockpiles while Russia continues its attacks on residential buildings.

NATO summit in Ankara

The NATO summit takes place on July 7 and 8 in Ankara. Heads of state and government of the alliance's member states will discuss the global situation and the future of the military alliance. According to preparatory sources, further billions in aid for Kyiv are also on the agenda. A meeting between Zelenskyj and US President Trump is planned on Wednesday on the sidelines of the summit.

Parallel to the Russian attacks, Ukraine reported its own drone strikes. According to Kyiv, strategic targets in Russia as well as ports on the Baltic Sea and in Crimea were attacked with drones. Details on damage and casualties on the Russian side were not officially confirmed at first. The reports on this come from agencies and SRF.

Ukrainian counterattacks with drones

The wave of attacks increases the pressure on the deliberations in Ankara. In recent weeks, Zelenskyj had repeatedly demanded that Western partners provide additional air defense systems and ammunition, particularly to protect the capital Kyiv and the country's critical infrastructure. Kyiv sees the summit meeting as an opportunity for concrete commitments.

Timing and political signaling

International observers see the timing of the Russian attack as a signal: it falls deliberately in the phase shortly before the NATO summit and before the planned meeting of Zelenskyj with Trump. The Ukrainian side sees this as an attempt to influence the debate about further aid and increase the pressure on the allies.

The situation in Kyiv remains tense after the attack. Rescue workers searched affected neighborhoods for those buried, authorities urged the population to seek shelter in air raid shelters. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that it had intercepted the majority of cruise missiles and drones; however, ballistic missiles had struck.

Further reports on the situation in Ukraine are available on the overview page on the Ukraine war. Developments surrounding the NATO summit in Ankara and possible decisions on air defense are expected in the coming days.