Russian forces fired ballistic missiles at Kyiv in the early morning hours of Monday, July 6, 2026, killing at least three people and damaging a residential building, officials said.

Tymur Tkachenko, who leads Kyiv's city government, confirmed the attack on Telegram. He said Russia used ballistic missiles — a type of weapon that travels very fast and is hard to stop once fired. RFE/RL quoted him directly. A building in a neighborhood called Podilskyi was partially destroyed. Three deaths were confirmed by city officials, according to DW and CNN/KTVZ. Reuters also reported the confirmed strike.

The attack happened hours before NATO leaders were set to meet in Ankara, Turkey. Germany had said this meeting would be important for deciding whether Western countries would keep sending weapons and support to Ukraine. The choice of weapon and timing suggests a deliberate strategy. Ballistic missiles are harder and faster to intercept than other missile types, leaving air-defense systems little time to respond. Hitting a major city the night before allied nations discuss that city's defense is a calculated move.

Podilskyi is a neighborhood where people live alongside government buildings. When a building there partially collapsed, it meant the missile hit a crowded area. More people may have died in the rubble.

NATO leaders will now open their summit in Ankara knowing that Russia has just struck Kyiv. They will see news coverage of the damaged building. This may pressure some countries to send more weapons faster to Ukraine. Others may hold their ground on current plans. What happens depends on what alliance members decide during private talks.

One fact is certain: Russia has attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles right before a major Western meeting about Ukraine, killed people living in homes, and done so while Western countries still debate how much to help Ukraine.