Russia unleashes an overnight barrage on Ukraine, killing 11 people and damaging a religious landmark, officials say

By — Hanna Arhirova, Associated Press Hanna Arhirova, Associated Press By — Illia Novikov, Associated Press Illia Novikov, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/russia-unleashes-an-overnight-barrage-on-ukraine-killing-11-people-and-damaging-a-religious-landmark-officials-say Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Russia unleashes an overnight barrage on Ukraine, killing 11 people and damaging a religious landmark, officials say World Jun 15, 2026 10:33 AM EDT KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia fired hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Ukraine's biggest cities in an overnight barrage that killed at least 11 people and set fire to a world-renowned religious landmark, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials said Monday. The attacks on the capital of Kyiv, and the second-largest city of Kharkiv, came after Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke separately by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday. The exchange suggests Washington hasn't given up on its diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting that followed Moscow's all-out invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. READ MORE: European leaders stress 'urgent need' to bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russian ballistic missiles The war in Ukraine is also set to feature in talks Tuesday by G7 leaders at a summit in France. Zelenskyy and Trump are due to attend, with the Ukrainian leader pushing his country's plight while the Iran war diverts international attention. "This is how Russia shows the world its intention to continue the war," Zelenskyy said in a post on X, referring to the overnight attack on civilian sites that included the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, an 11th-century monastery complex. "It is very important that there be a response from the G7 countries ... and that this response be decisive and substantive; more pressure on the aggressor and more support for Ukraine's air defense, especially anti-ballistic capabilities," he said. Children among the wounded in Kyiv Zelenskyy said the Russian strikes killed 11 civilians and emergency workers and wounded 53 across Ukraine. Five were killed in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said, where at least 30 others were also wounded, including two children aged 5 and 6, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city's Military Administration. A series of powerful explosions were heard across Kyiv, with a wave of ballistic missiles followed by Shahed drones as many people sought shelter underground. Clouds of black smoke drifted over the city. A drone view shows houses in a residential area damaged during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 15, 2026. Photo by Valentyn Ogirenko/ Reuters Five strikes hit civilian sites in the city's Shevchenkivskyi district in under 30 minutes, Tkachenko said, including a 25-story apartment building, while a market and a grocery store caught f