Russian Strikes Kill 16 Civilians as Zelenskyy Seeks NATO Aid/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ At least 16 Ukrainian civilians were killed and nearly 100 injured in fresh Russian strikes, as President Zelenskyy met NATO leaders in The Hague seeking additional military support. The attacks targeted schools, hospitals, and homes. Aid uncertainty looms as the U.S. reevaluates its commitment.
Russian Strikes Kill Civilians as Zelenskyy Seeks NATO Aid: Quick Looks
- Russian missiles, drones, and artillery killed 16 civilians, injured nearly 100 across Ukraine
- Deadly attacks struck Dnipro, Kherson, Samar, and Sumy, destroying schools and hospitals
- Ukraine’s retaliation includes drone strikes hitting Russian residential areas
- Zelenskyy meets NATO leaders seeking more Western aid amid a stalling frontline
- U.S. support from Biden-era pledges set to expire; future aid under Trump uncertain
- Russian air defenses downed 20 Ukrainian drones targeting Kursk and Moscow
- A Ukrainian drone struck a Moscow tower block, injuring a resident and causing a fire
- Air traffic temporarily suspended at Moscow airports amid escalating air threats
Russian Strikes Kill 16 Civilians as Zelenskyy Seeks NATO Aid
Deep Look
Kyiv, Ukraine — June 24, 2025
Ukrainian officials reported devastating new strikes on Tuesday that killed at least 16 civilians and injured nearly 100 more across several regions, highlighting the intensifying toll of Russia’s war effort as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met NATO leaders in The Hague to plead for more military assistance.
The barrage included a variety of Russian weapons—missiles, drones, and artillery—that hit civilian infrastructure with lethal precision.
Widespread Civilian Casualties
In Dnipro, a major city in central Ukraine, a ballistic missile attack around midday left seven people dead and about 70 injured. Officials described the destruction of multiple civilian sites, including schools, kindergartens, and medical facilities. Windows of a passenger train were shattered by the shockwaves, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the attacks.
In nearby Samar, two civilians were killed and nine others wounded, according to Serhii Lysak, head of the regional administration. Additional shelling across the Kherson region claimed four more lives and left at least 11 injured.
Ukraine’s Sumy region was also targeted, with a late-night drone strike killing three people, including a five-year-old child. Six others were injured, including two 17-year-old girls and a 12-year-old boy.
Escalating Pressure as Zelenskyy Seeks Aid
These fresh attacks coincided with Zelenskyy’s arrival at the NATO summit in The Hague, where he aims to secure further Western support amid growing uncertainty about future U.S. aid. Military analysts note that previously committed U.S. assistance—allocated under the Biden administration—is projected to run out in the coming months.
Zelenskyy’s diplomatic mission has gained urgency in the wake of fading prospects for peace and continued Russian aggression. While Ukraine has made limited progress on the battlefield recently, its armed forces are increasingly reliant on foreign weapon supplies to sustain their defense.
Ukraine Strikes Back
Despite facing heavy losses, Ukraine continues its long-range drone campaign against Russian targets. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 20 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight—14 over the border-adjacent Kursk region and six targeting areas near Moscow.
However, at least one drone evaded defenses, crashing into a high-rise apartment complex on the outskirts of Moscow. The impact caused a fire on the 17th floor and injured a 34-year-old resident with shrapnel wounds.
Russian officials confirmed two more drones were destroyed on their approach to the capital, prompting a brief suspension of operations at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports.
Civilian Infrastructure at Breaking Point
The Russian strikes have once again devastated Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. In Dnipro alone, 19 schools, 10 kindergartens, and several hospitals were damaged or destroyed. A social welfare office and a music school were also hit. Local authorities describe these attacks as part of a deliberate campaign to demoralize the Ukrainian population and undermine the country’s education and healthcare systems.
With the war now in its fourth year, the cumulative toll on civilians continues to climb. The United Nations estimates over 12,000 civilian deaths in Ukraine since the invasion began, with the true figure likely higher given the difficulty of verifying casualties in frontline areas.
NATO Stands at a Crossroads
As Zelenskyy appeals to Western allies, NATO leaders are under increasing pressure to clarify their long-term commitments. The outcome of the summit could shape the next phase of Ukraine’s resistance—or leave Kyiv more vulnerable than ever.
While many member nations have expressed solidarity, the question remains whether that will translate into renewed and expanded military aid packages in the face of escalating violence and a still-unresolved geopolitical crisis.
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