Russia carried out one of its most intense air assaults on Ukraine in recent months just hours before a high-level meeting between Western defense leaders to discuss further military support for Kyiv, particularly under U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed arms initiative.
The barrage, which began shortly after midnight and lasted several hours into Monday, killed two people and injured at least 15, including a child, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
In the capital’s Shevchenkivskyi district, a drone hit the entrance of a subway station used as a shelter. Videos on social media showed thick smoke filling the platform as civilians crowded inside. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported that the station required enhanced ventilation.
The Darnytskyi district was hit hardest, with fires breaking out at a kindergarten, supermarket, and warehouses. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who was in Kyiv on Monday, visited some of the damaged areas.
The attack came just ahead of a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, chaired by UK Defense Secretary John Healey and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Alexus Grynkewich also took part.
Ukraine’s new Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal urged partners to accelerate the delivery of U.S.-made air defense systems, including Patriot missiles, as part of a NATO-coordinated plan unveiled by Trump last week.
“We call on the U.S. to make these systems available and for European allies to provide financing,” Shmyhal said.
Trump’s plan calls for European nations to transfer American-made weapons to Ukraine either from existing stockpiles or through new purchases, with the goal of ramping up defense support over the next 50 days. Trump also issued an ultimatum to Moscow to agree to a ceasefire within that timeframe or face harsher sanctions.
Healey, according to the UK government, was expected to push for a 50-day campaign to equip Ukraine with the weapons it needs to resist Russia’s larger military and bring President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Patriot Systems in Focus
Germany has offered to finance two new Patriot systems for Ukraine and is considering transferring its own, with U.S. replacements. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz cautioned that delivery would take time, possibly weeks.
Switzerland may also contribute, with its defense ministry confirming that the U.S. will reprioritize five Patriot systems originally ordered by Switzerland for Ukrainian use.
While Ukraine waits for these systems, NATO continues to coordinate the delivery of other military aid, including ammunition and artillery, some of which had been temporarily delayed. A NATO official confirmed these efforts but spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Renewed Peace Talk Proposals Amid Escalation
President Zelenskyy said new peace talks had been proposed for this week. Russian media reported that no date has been set, but Istanbul is expected to host any future negotiations. The Kremlin has said it is open to talks, though its military objectives remain unchanged.
Ukraine Responds With Drone Attacks on Russia
Russia’s Ministry of Defense said its strikes involved drones and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and claimed they targeted Ukrainian military-industrial infrastructure and airfields. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that 426 Shahed and decoy drones, along with 24 missiles, were launched in the overnight attack. Of these, 200 drones were shot down and over 200 more were jammed or lost from radar.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continued to strike back with domestically produced long-range drones. Russian officials said 74 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight, including 23 in the Moscow region and 15 directly over the capital.
The air raid on Kyiv was the first major assault since Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, visited the city last week. No attacks were reported during his stay.