Russia strikes Kyiv with missiles and drones, killing eight

Eight people were killed and 34 injured in a Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv. The strike came hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of an imminent major Russian offensive.

Scraper SystemJuly 02, 2026, 10:27 AM

Russia strikes Kyiv with missiles and drones, killing eight

Ukraine's capital Kyiv came under a Russian missile and drone attack. Kyiv Military Administration Head Tymur Tkachenko announced that at least eight people were killed in the attacks carried out overnight and in the morning, targeting about three dozen points across the city.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Telegram that 34 people were injured. Klitschko said that in the attacks carried out with ballistic missiles and drones, people were trapped in a nine-story building and a large part of a high-rise apartment building collapsed after a direct hit.

AFP reporters said they heard more than a dozen explosions in the central and eastern parts of the city, while Ukraine's Air Force warned of ballistic missiles approaching the capital. Footage shared on unofficial Telegram channels showed people sheltering in underground metro stations to escape the attacks.

Hours after Zelenskyy's warning

The attacks on Kyiv began hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cut short his visit to Ireland and warned of an imminent 'major Russian offensive.' During a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin, Zelenskyy said, 'Today we have information and relevant intelligence data about a new major Russian offensive.'

In a post on the social media platform X, Zelenskyy said, 'I am returning to Ukraine immediately after this conversation.' He urged the public to heed air raid warnings and said, 'Be especially careful, protect your families and children.'

The Ukrainian president noted that it has been known for some time that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing a major offensive. Zelenskyy said that although Ukraine conveyed its readiness for negotiations through 'all official and unofficial channels,' Russia still refuses to end the war completely. 'Putin sees only more aggression against Ukraine, other neighbors, and Europe as a whole,' he said.

Meanwhile, NATO and EU member Poland scrambled its fighter jets as a precautionary measure during the attacks on Kyiv. Polish officials said the aircraft later returned to base, stating that no airspace violation occurred.

Russia strikes Kyiv with missiles and drones, killing eight