Russian forces launched a large-scale overnight assault on several major Ukrainian cities early Monday, deploying hundreds of drones and dozens of ballistic missiles in an attack that authorities say killed at least 11 people and caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including a historic cathedral in Kyiv.

The bombardment targeted Ukraine’s capital and its second-largest city, Kharkiv, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict. The strikes occurred just hours after separate phone calls on Sunday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring continued attempts by Washington to mediate a resolution to the war that has ensued since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported five fatalities, with an additional 30 people wounded, including two children aged five and six. Kyiv’s Military Administration head, Tymur Tkachenko, confirmed that multiple civilian sites were targeted in the Shevchenkivskyi district where a 25-story apartment building, a market, and a grocery store were set ablaze. In the Obolonskyi district, a nine-story residential building sustained a direct missile hit. Witnesses described a series of powerful explosions followed by swarms of Shahed drones, causing many residents to seek shelter in underground bomb shelters as black smoke billowed across the city.

President Zelenskyy condemned the attacks on social media, emphasizing that these strikes demonstrated Russia’s determination to continue the conflict despite diplomatic engagements. He called for a robust response from G7 nations and urged enhanced support for Ukraine’s air defenses, particularly in bolstering anti-ballistic missile systems. The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to attend a G7 summit in France on Tuesday alongside President Trump, aiming to keep international focus on Ukraine as global attention has been increasingly diverted to other conflicts such as the ongoing war in Iran.

According to Zelenskyy, the strikes killed 11 non-combatants and emergency personnel and injured 53 people throughout Ukraine. The assaults follow patterns of repeated attacks against civilian centers that have drawn condemnation from Kyiv and its Western allies.

The situation remains fluid as G7 leaders prepare to discuss the conflict during their summit, with Ukraine’s security needs and broader geopolitical ramifications expected to be key topics on the agenda. Meanwhile, Russia continues its military campaign despite mounting international pressure and diplomatic overtures.