Russia's Deadly Barrage on Kyiv Exposes Air Defense Gaps Ahead of NATO Summit

Kyiv was hit by a brutal wave of Russian missile and drone strikes on Monday, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens, just hours before a critical NATO summit is set to begin in Ankara, Turkey. The barrage, which included numerous ballistic missiles, proved devastating as Ukrainian air defenses reportedly failed to intercept any of these high-speed projectiles, exposing significant vulnerabilities in the capital's protection. This latest assault marks the second major attack on Kyiv in less than a week, a clear escalation that appears to be retaliation for Ukraine recent strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. The timing, ahead of the NATO Summit, amplifies the geopolitical stakes, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to press allies for urgent deliveries of advanced air defense systems, especially Patriot interceptors, which are currently in short supply globally. As rescue crews continue to search for survivors in shattered buildings, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has declared Tuesday a Day of Mourning and publicly demanded an urgent meeting of Ukraine National Security and Defense Council. He cites the government's failure to uphold agreements for the city's 'Comprehensive Capital Resilience Plan,' underscoring the pressing need for unified action to protect the civilian population amidst Russia relentless long-range attacks.