Russian ballistic missiles strike Kyiv, at least one dead after Zelenskyy's warning of 'massive attack'

The attack

At least one person was killed in a Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday, 30 July 2026. Explosions were heard across the Ukrainian capital, and the city's military administration confirmed the death on Telegram. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the enemy was attacking with ballistic weapons and that fires had broken out in several districts. He urged residents to remain in shelters, warning that the threat of further strikes remained present.

The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic weapons. The threat of further attack remains present. Stay in shelters!

The attack came just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued an urgent warning of an imminent Russian strike.

Zelenskyy's warning and diplomatic push

On Wednesday evening, Zelenskyy posted on X that he had received a report from Air Force Commander Anatolii Kryvonozhko indicating Russia had prepared a massive attack several days earlier. He said there was a "high probability" the strike would be carried out that night and called on Ukrainians nationwide to heed air raid sirens.

The Russians prepared a massive attack several days ago, and there is a high probability that the strike will be carried out tonight.

Zelenskyy renewed his appeal to Western allies, particularly the United States, to supply Patriot air defense missiles. Ukraine relies on the US-made Patriot system to intercept ballistic missiles, but it faces a severe shortage of PAC-3 interceptors. The shortage has worsened since February 2026, when the US and Israel launched a war against Iran, diverting munitions. On Tuesday, Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump at the White House, later describing it as a "good meeting." According to Zelenskyy, Trump agreed to provide Ukraine with licenses to produce Patriot missiles domestically.

Russian air attacks also hit the western city of Lviv, where residential buildings were damaged and at least five people were injured, according to mayor Andriy Sadovyi and Ukrainian officials.

Poland scrambles fighter jets

As the Russian strikes unfolded, Poland's Armed Forces announced on X that it had scrambled fighter jets and an early warning aircraft to protect its airspace. Ground-based air defense and radar systems were also placed on high readiness. The Polish military described the move as preventive, a standard response when Russian attacks target western Ukraine near the Polish border.

Broader context

Russia has intensified its use of ballistic missiles against Ukrainian cities in recent weeks. The attack on Kyiv follows a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory. On the night of Monday to Tuesday, between 356 and 390 drones targeted the Moscow region, according to local authorities. A separate airstrike killed a woman on Wednesday in a Russian port town in the Rostov region on the Sea of Azov, local authorities said. Meanwhile, several Russian regions that had experienced fuel shortages due to Ukrainian strikes have begun lifting restrictions, with officials citing a "stabilization" of supplies.