Russia launched a drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early on July 6 (local time), leaving at least 11 people dead and dozens injured, according to foreign media reports including AFP.

The airstrikes took place one day before the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara, Turkey.

Ukraine criticized Russia for intentionally timing the attack ahead of a major diplomatic event.

Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, stated on Telegram that a residential building in Kyiv's Podilskyi District partially collapsed due to the Russian attack.

He also added that several high-rise buildings in the Darnytskyi District were damaged, and people are believed to be trapped under the rubble.

Local authorities confirmed that at least 10 people died in Kyiv and one person died in the Bucha District, northwest of the capital.

At least 46 people were injured in the capital, and 15 were injured in the surrounding areas.

The number of casualties may rise further.

Russia utilized ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones for this attack, the Associated Press reported.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that it carried out large-scale strikes targeting military-industrial enterprises and fuel and energy facilities in various regions of Ukraine.

As ballistic missiles and drones struck various parts of the city, massive flames lit up the night sky, and cars were seen burning on the streets.

Air raid sirens wailed across the city, prompting many residents to seek shelter.

The airstrikes occurred one day before the NATO summit, which U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend.

The attack came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of the possibility of a large-scale Russian assault.

Prior to the strikes, President Zelenskyy criticized Russia on social media platform X, stating, "Attacking right after the U.S. Independence Day and just before the NATO summit is typical of Putin's methods."

The implication is that Russia intentionally launched large-scale airstrikes at a time when international attention is focused on major diplomatic events.

Recently, Russia has been conducting large-scale airstrikes targeting Kyiv in retaliation for Ukraine's precision strikes on Russian oil refineries and other civilian infrastructure.

A Russian airstrike that took place between the night of July 1 and the early hours of July 2 resulted in 31 deaths in Kyiv.

At the time, the Russian attack was recorded as one of the worst instances of damage in Kyiv since the war began in 2022.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)