Nearly every European leader had assembled at the meeting to condemn Russia and Belarus.

The latest Russian attack, using what Ukrainian officials said were short-range Iskander ground-launched missiles, coincided with events scheduled in Kyiv to celebrate International Children’s Day. Those events were canceled.

The attack angered Russia’s hawks, who criticize President Vladimir Putin for failing to protect the heart of Kremlin power.

Ukraine made no immediate comment on the attack, which would be one of its deepest and most daring strikes into Russia.

If confirmed, the rotation of forces would mark a major shift, making units under the Russian military’s regular command responsible for holding the city – and allowing Wagner leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin to pull away.

Local officials in Ukraine’s capital say Kyiv has been subjected to the largest drone attack since the start of Russia’s war as the city prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding

The recent warm, dry weather in southern Ukraine has raised expectations that the spring counterattack could begin soon – or may already be underway.