Russian strikes kill 20, exposing Ukraine’s air-defense shortage

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine early Monday, killing at least 20 people and exposing Kyiv's critical shortage of U.S.-made interceptors. The attack came just days after the deadliest strike on Kyiv this year and on the eve of a NATO summit where President Donald Trump is due to hold talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine's military was unable to down any of the 23 ballistic missiles fired by Russia, reflecting its increasing vulnerability as stocks of Patriot missiles run out. President Zelenskyy called for "strong decisions" at the NATO summit to ensure Ukraine can defend itself, stating that as long as Patriot missiles sit in allies' stockpiles, Russia is encouraged to keep destroying residential buildings. At least 14 people were killed in Kyiv and six others in the surrounding region, with nearly 30 buildings significantly damaged. A search operation continued into the afternoon as crews combed through rubble, with the bodies of an entire family—two parents and their child—pulled from the debris. Russia's defense ministry said its forces conducted a "massive" attack on Kyiv and other locations with long-range, high-precision weapons and drones, hitting military and energy facilities. Moscow has escalated its air war this year as its battlefield progress has slowed, while Ukraine has also retaken territory in some areas along the frontline.