Russian attacks on Ukraine kill 14 civilians as Zelenskyy travels to UK

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian drones and missiles killed at least 14 civilians and injured several dozen others in Ukraine in overnight attacks, local officials said Monday, with nine deaths reported in the capital, Kyiv, where an apartment building partially collapsed.

The attacks came as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began a visit to the United Kingdom, where he met privately with King Charles III.

Russia fired 352 drones and decoys overnight, as well as 11 ballistic missiles and five cruise missiles, Ukraine’s air force said. Air defenses intercepted or jammed 339 drones and 15 missiles before they could reach their targets, a statement said.

A Russian ballistic missile strike destroyed a high school later in the day in Ukraine's southern Odesa region, killing two staff, authorities said. No children were on the premises due to the summer vacation, said Zelenskyy, who described the strike as “absolutely insane.”

The strikes came nearly a week after a Russian attack killed 28 people in Kyiv, 23 of them in a residential building that collapsed after a direct missile hit. Russia has also hit civilian areas with long-range strikes in an apparent attempt to weaken Ukrainian morale.

Russian forces have been trying to drive deeper into Ukraine as part of a summer push along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, though the Institute for the Study of War said progress has failed to make significant gains.

“Russian forces are largely relying on poorly trained infantry to make gains in the face of Ukraine’s drone-based defense,” the Washington-based think tank said late Sunday.

Zelenskyy said preliminary data indicated that Russian forces used North Korean missiles in the Kyiv strike. He described Russia, North Korea and Iran, which has provided drones to Russia, as a “coalition of murderers."

Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s defense and new ways to pressure Russia would be the main topics in his visit to the United Kingdom. Zelenskyy met privately with King Charles III and stayed for lunch, Buckingham Palace said. He later met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of this week’s NATO summit in The Hague.

Drones and missiles hit residential areas, hospitals and sports infrastructure in numerous districts across Kyiv, emergency services said.

The most severe damage was in Shevchenkivskyi district, where a section of a five-story apartment building collapsed.

Nine people were killed in the district, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Ten others, including a pregnant woman, were rescued from a nearby high-rise that also sustained heavy damage. Dozens of vehicles were burned or mangled by flying debris.

Oleksii Pozychaniuk, 29, who lives in the building next to the one struck, said he heard the whistle of the rocket approaching and “froze in terror” before feeling the impact.

“Windows burst out, glass was flying everywhere,” he said. “We barely made it downstairs with my child. Everything here was on fire.”

Klitschko said rescue workers were searching for survivors.

The Russian attack also damaged the entrance to the Sviatoshyn subway station in Kyiv, slightly injuring two people, said Timur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's military administration. He said more than 30 people were injured across the city.

Underground subway stations have served as shelters for those seeking protection from aerial attacks. During almost nightly strikes, stations across Kyiv are often filled with people waiting out the danger.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the latest strikes demonstrated Russia’s “unlimited cruelty” by deliberately aiming at civilian targets, and promised more European sanctions on Moscow.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, a drone attack killed two people and wounded 10 more in the Chernihiv region late Sunday, authorities said. Three children were among the wounded, according to the regional administration head, Viacheslav Chaus.

Another person was killed and eight wounded overnight in the city of Bila Tserkva, around 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of the capital.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 23 Ukrainian drones overnight into Monday.

Ukraine will take at least a year to identify the thousands of soldiers' bodies repatriated by Russia and establish whether Moscow has mistakenly included more of its servicemen, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

Zelenskyy said Friday that Russia had included at least 20 of its own dead soldiers in recent exchanges with Ukraine, describing it as a result of Moscow’s disorganization in carrying out large swaps of wounded POWs and remains.

At least five of the bodies can be proven to be Russian, Klymenko told a press conference, with tests being conducted on others. Journalists were shown uniforms and items including cigarettes belonging to what Ukraine said were the five Russians.

Associated Press journalists Samya Kullab, Illia Novikov and Oleksandr Babenko in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Britain's King Charles III, right, shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the occasion of their private audience at Windsor Castle, England, Monday, June 23, 2025. (Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP)

Rescue workers clear the rubble of a residential house destroyed by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Downing Street in London, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Villagers throw flowers on the road during the funeral procession of Maksym Baluyev, a soldier who was killed in battle with the Russian troops, in the village of Novi Petrivtsi close to Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

A police expert shows chevron of Russian soldier killed in the Russia-Ukraine war during the Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko's briefing on repatriation of fallen solders in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Medical workers help a woman in the yard of an apartment building destroyed after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, early Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Medical workers help a woman in a yard of an apartment building destroyed after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, early Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Firefighters work in a destroyed apartment building after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, early Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Firefighters work in a destroyed apartment building after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, early Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

A destroyed car is seen as firefighters work on the site of a damaged building after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, early Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Firefighters work in a destroyed apartment building after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, early Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in an apartment building after Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, early Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two longtime Saints players in their mid-30s — who are not under contract for next season — are coming off memorable and emotional home finales that have ignited discussions about their NFL future.

Whether defensive end Cameron Jordan or versatile offensive skill player Taysom Hill return next season remains to be seen. But their effort and commitment during a difficult rebuilding season has drawn high praise from first-year coach Kellen Moore.

“Those guys are the best,” Moore said. “They are the ultimate lead-by-example guys."

Moore called their contributions to this non-playoff season “really, really special," adding, “These guys are playing really good football right now.”

Jordan, 36, and in his 15th NFL season — all with New Orleans — had two sacks during the Saints' 29-6 victory over the New York Jets, raising his team-leading total to 8 1/2.

The 35-year-old Hill, who came back from a major, 2024 knee injury, accounted for 116 total yards as a runner, passer and receiver — a performance highlighted by a game-sealing 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Jordan and Hill both took time to salute the crowd on their way off the field and acknowledged that while playing for the Saints means a lot to them, they cannot be certain what their future holds.

Jordan, who has 130 career sacks, has hinted repeatedly that he's not ready to retire, tossing out names of other defensive ends who played into their late 30s, such as Julius Peppers (who played 17 seasons and retired at 39). But without a contract, he noted, it's hard to forecast whether or where he'll play in 2026.

At the very least, general manager Mickey Loomis felt compelled to walk into the Saints' locker room after Sunday's game, put an arm around Jordan's shoulder, and say a few private words that made the veteran pass rusher smile.

Hill didn't go into much detail about potentially retiring or playing elsewhere, but he did get emotional discussing how important the Saints organization has become to him since claiming him off waivers after the 2017 preseason.

When Hill's wife, Emily, asked him before Sunday's game whether he thought it might be his last as a Saint in the Superdome, he said he “didn’t really feel any type of way, but as I was driving to the stadium, you start to think about the last nine years and what it’s meant to me and my family.”

“So, for me personally, you just try to take it all in,” he added.

Moore isn't ready to discuss looming offseason decisions yet. After starting 1-7, the Saints (5-10) have a chance to finish with seven wins. The coach said on Monday he'd like the club's focus to remain squarely on the games to come.

“We've got two weeks left and this is all that we worry about,” Moore said. “We want to finish this thing off as well as we can for every single player. ... We're trying to create winning habits.”

New Orleans' pass coverage has been among the NFL's best, which might explain why Jets rookie QB Brady Cook looked indecisive and took eight sacks. After allowing the Jets 131 net yards passing, the Saints rank fifth in the NFL in yards passing allowed per game (177.3) and ninth in total defense (303.5).

The Saints' injury-ravaged running game could use more production. New Orleans finished with 84 yards rushing on Sunday and ranks 30th in the NFL in rushing, averaging 92.8 yards per game.

Receiver Chris Olave continued to build his case as one of the NFL's leading comeback players. He missed nine games last season, mostly because of a major concussion that cast uncertainty over his career. His 10 catches for 148 yards and two TDs against the Jets increased his season totals to 92 catches for 1,044 yards and eight TDs — all career highs.

“It was a tough time last year,” Olave said. “I was only 24 years old, contemplating retirement. ... I just gave it another try, another chance and it’s been a great year.”

Third-year NFL running back Evan Hull has seen the most action of his career in recent weeks with New Orleans because of injuries to Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal. But staying in the rotation might require more production. He gained 3 yards on five carries against the Jets.

Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (knee) and tight end Foster Moreau (ankle) both will likely be out for at least one game, Moore said. It remains unclear when Kamara (knee and ankle), who's missed the past four games, will return.

1 — The number of first-year coaches in Saints history to have a four-game winning streak. That was Jim Haslett, whose 2000 playoff team won six straight. Moore could become the second with a victory this weekend.

The Saints travel for their final two games, beginning at Tennessee this Sunday for a matchup between non-playoff teams that are coming off victories. New Orleans finishes the season at Atlanta.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) holds on to the ball after a pass completion as New York Jets safety Dean Clark (35) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan greets fans after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)