Russia bombards Ukrainian cities, killing two and injuring 15, just hours before a key NATO meeting on President Trump’s arms deal for Ukraine.

Russia Intensifies Attacks as NATO Arms Deal Looms

Russia launched a devastating overnight assault on Ukraine, just hours before a critical NATO meeting to advance President Donald Trump’s weapons transfer plan. The barrage left two dead and at least 15 wounded, including a 12-year-old boy, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The strikes, which continued from late Monday night into the morning, targeted Kyiv, Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and surrounding regions. Civilian infrastructure suffered significant damage, with a kindergarten, apartment buildings, and other non-military sites hit by Russian missiles and drones. “Russian strikes are always an assault on humanity,” Zelenskyy said, emphasizing the toll on ordinary citizens and the urgency of bolstering air defense.

Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia deployed over 420 drones and 20 missiles, including ballistic projectiles, in repeated waves of attack. Although Ukrainian air defense units, mobile fire groups, and interceptor drones managed to shoot down many incoming threats, some penetrated the defenses, resulting in casualties and further destruction. “We must continue scaling up our interceptor capabilities. This is the kind of solution that can protect us from massive attacks,” Zelenskyy stated.

The timing of the strikes heightened tensions ahead of a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting led by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. President Trump’s newly announced plan calls for NATO allies and other nations to purchase U.S. military equipment and accelerate the transfer of arms to Ukraine’s battlefield. The proposal was widely endorsed by UK Defense Secretary John Healey, who confirmed the UK’s commitment to support Ukraine’s immediate needs and strengthen European security.

International Community Rallies Amid Escalating War

Monday’s attacks underscore the ongoing challenges facing Ukraine as Russia continues its campaign against civilian and military targets alike. The latest escalation coincides with international efforts to reinforce Ukraine’s air defenses and provide advanced weaponry to repel further assaults.

“Last week, President Trump announced a new plan for large scale NATO weapons transfers and committed to getting these ‘quickly distributed to the battlefield,’” Healey said, according to a UK government press release. “The UK government backs this policy, and we will play our full part in its success to bolster Ukraine’s immediate fight and to support our own and wider European security.”

Russian military officials, meanwhile, claimed to have downed 74 Ukrainian drones overnight. The ongoing conflict has seen a rapid escalation in drone and missile warfare, intensifying risks for civilians and straining Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

As the war grinds on despite President Trump’s diplomatic efforts to broker peace since taking office this year, Ukraine’s leadership continues to call for expanded Western support. The next phase of NATO cooperation, centered on rapid arms transfers and air defense upgrades, could prove critical to Ukraine’s ability to withstand further Russian attacks and protect its population.

With international focus now centered on the outcome of the NATO meeting and President Trump’s weapons transfer plan, both sides of the conflict are bracing for the consequences of the latest developments. The future of Ukraine’s security, and that of the wider region, may well hinge on how swiftly and effectively new military aid can be delivered and deployed.