Russian missiles strike Kyiv, third attack in a week

Russian forces launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv in the early hours of Wednesday, July 8, marking the third major assault on the Ukrainian capital in less than a week. The strikes triggered fires in at least two districts and injured at least two people, one of whom required hospitalization.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that warehouse facilities were burning in the Desnianskyi district and a fire broke out in a non-residential building in the Sviatoshynskyi district, areas located on opposite sides of the Dnipro River. He warned residents to remain in shelters as the attack unfolded. An air raid alert lasted for approximately an hour before the all-clear was given.

The assault on the capital followed a separate missile strike on the southern port city of Odesa on Tuesday, which injured ten people, with eight requiring hospital treatment. These attacks are part of a recent escalation, including a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv on Monday that officials said killed at least 19 people.

The latest strikes coincided with the opening of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where support for Ukraine is a central agenda item. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky,...