Russia Times Ballistic Strike on Kyiv Hours Before NATO Defense Summit

Russian forces struck Kyiv with ballistic missiles early Monday, July 6, killing at least three and partially collapsing a residential building in Podilskyi district. The attack preceded a NATO summit in Ankara where Germany had signaled continued Ukrainian defense support would be central. Ballistic missiles compress air-defense response windows, making them tactically harder to intercept than drones or cruise missiles. The timing underscores Russia's willingness to conduct high-casualty strikes when Western security commitments face renewed debate.