Russian Missile and Drone Barrage Devastates Kyiv, Killing at Least 13

Published: July 2, 2026

Kyiv, Ukraine — Russia launched one of its largest overnight aerial assaults on Ukraine's capital early Thursday, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 80 others as waves of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and attack drones struck residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure across Kyiv.

The attack began before dawn, forcing thousands of residents to seek shelter in subway stations and underground bunkers while air raid sirens echoed across the city. Ukrainian authorities reported explosions in multiple districts as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming missiles and drones.

Emergency responders worked throughout the morning to rescue survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Fires erupted in several apartment complexes, while damaged medical facilities, hotels, and public infrastructure added to the widespread destruction.

According to Ukrainian officials, more than 30 locations across Kyiv suffered damage during the bombardment. Rescue teams deployed hundreds of emergency workers and specialized equipment to search through rubble, evacuate residents, and extinguish fires.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned citizens before the attack that Russia was preparing another large-scale missile assault. Following the strikes, he renewed calls for Ukraine's international partners to strengthen the country's air-defense capabilities, emphasizing the need for additional missile defense systems to protect civilians.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, describing it as another deliberate strike against civilian areas. Officials urged allied nations to increase military assistance and impose further sanctions aimed at limiting Russia's ability to continue its missile campaign.

The latest barrage comes amid an intensifying phase of the war, with both Russia and Ukraine increasing long-range attacks. Ukrainian drone operations have recently targeted military and energy facilities inside Russia, while Moscow has responded with repeated large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Search-and-rescue operations remained underway Thursday, with authorities warning that the number of casualties could rise as crews continued clearing debris from collapsed buildings.

The international community has continued to monitor the escalating conflict, while humanitarian organizations expressed concern over the growing toll on civilians caught in the ongoing war.

As of publication, emergency services remained active across Kyiv, and officials urged residents to stay alert for additional air raid warnings as the security situation remained volatile.