Russia Launches Major Aerial Assault on Kyiv Ahead of NATO Weapons Talks

Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine in recent months just hours before a key meeting chaired by Britain and Germany to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for NATO allies to provide military aid to Ukraine. The overnight drone and missile strike on Kyiv killed two people and injured 15, including a 12-year-old, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A drone hit the entrance of a subway station in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, where civilians had taken shelter. In the Darnytskyi district, fires broke out at a kindergarten, supermarket, and warehouse. Videos shared on social media showed smoke filling the subway platform. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, visiting Kyiv on Monday, toured damaged areas and discussed with Zelenskyy expanded defense cooperation, including the production of French drones in Ukraine and progress on Ukraine’s EU membership.

The aerial assault coincided with a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, attended by British Defense Secretary John Healey, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich. The meeting followed Trump’s recent announcement of an arms transfer plan and a 50-day deadline for Russia to accept a ceasefire or face harsher sanctions.

Ukraine’s new Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, formerly the prime minister, urged NATO allies to expedite the delivery of U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems. Trump’s plan would involve European nations supplying American weapons from their stockpiles or purchasing new ones. Grynkewich confirmed preparations were underway, while U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker withheld a timeline for the deliveries.

European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius, visiting Washington, praised Trump’s tougher stance on Moscow and emphasized the joint economic might of the U.S. and Europe. “We need political will,” he said.

Germany has pledged to finance two new Patriot systems for Ukraine and hinted at transferring existing systems, which would later be replaced by U.S. shipments. Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted logistical delays could stretch over several days or weeks. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s defense ministry confirmed it was informed of a reprioritization by the U.S. to divert five Patriot systems to Ukraine.

As air defense efforts intensify, NATO is also coordinating deliveries of ammunition and artillery. A senior NATO official confirmed ongoing efforts, including aid previously delayed by the U.S., while speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter.

In his address, Zelenskyy said a new round of talks with Russia was scheduled for Wednesday. Previous negotiations in Istanbul led to prisoner exchanges but no major agreements.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its barrage used drones and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles to strike Ukrainian airfields and military infrastructure. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 200 of 426 drones and jamming or losing 203 more on radar. It also said 24 missiles of various types were launched.

Ukraine responded with long-range drone strikes, with Russia’s defense ministry saying it shot down 74 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 23 near Moscow and 15 directly over the city.

The assault marked the first major attack on Kyiv since Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, arrived in the capital last week. Russia paused its strikes during his visit.