Russia strikes Kyiv with 74 missiles and 496 drones, killing at least 27 in deadliest attack this year
At least 27 people were killed and over 90 injured as Russia launched 74 missiles and nearly 500 drones at the Ukrainian capital overnight, striking residential buildings and a Red Cross warehouse.
The overnight assault
Russia launched a large-scale attack on Kyiv on the night of 1–2 July, firing 74 missiles of various types and 496 drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The assault began around 21:40 local time on Wednesday with waves of drones, followed by ballistic missiles, including hypersonic Zircon missiles, in the early hours of Thursday. Explosions were reported in 33 different locations across the capital, and the attack lasted more than 11 hours.
- First explosions heard in Kyiv as drone waves approach the capital.
- Air defence units engage drones on the city outskirts; residents shelter in metro stations.
- Ballistic missiles, including hypersonic Zircons, begin striking the city.
- Multiple residential buildings hit; a nine-storey block partially collapses.
- Explosions continue; Red Cross warehouse and ambulance station struck.
- Attack ends after more than 11 hours; rescue operations begin across 33 impact sites.
Air defence units intercepted many of the incoming weapons, but 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones struck their targets. Air Force spokesman Iuri Ihnat said the number of ballistic missiles was unusually high and the interception rate was low.
Casualties and destruction
At least 27 people were killed and more than 90 wounded, making it the deadliest attack on Kyiv this year. Rescue teams continued searching through rubble on Thursday, with at least nine people still missing. In one eastern district, five bodies were recovered and eight residents remained unaccounted for.
Rescue teams will work without interruption until all the rubble is removed. Unfortunately, it is possible that more victims will be found.
Over 130 buildings were damaged, including residential blocks, a Red Cross warehouse, an ambulance station, and the historic Cityhotel Residence. A nine-storey apartment building on Novodarnytska Street was partially destroyed. The Red Cross said 320,000 humanitarian items were lost.
- May 2026 attack
- 24 deaths
- 1–2 July 2026 attack
- 27 deaths
A resident described the moment of impact.
Around two in the morning there was an extremely powerful explosion. It was simply a wall of fire. In an instant, our entire stairwell was engulfed in flames, from the first to the fifth floor.
Zelensky's response
President Volodimir Zelenski cut short a visit to Ireland and returned to Kyiv to inspect the damage. Visiting a half-destroyed residential building, he criticised Western allies for delays in delivering promised air defence systems.
If our partners had fulfilled their promises on time, I believe we could have saved more homes and lives today.
Zelenski said Ukraine would "certainly" retaliate and stressed that the issue would be central at the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey. He also called on US President Donald Trump to grant a licence for Ukraine to produce Patriot air defence systems and long-range missiles.
Russia strikes civilian targets only to coerce Ukraine to give up its statehood, to create a rift between civil society and the army. That is what it has banked on since the start of the war, but that will not happen.
Kremlin's denial
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov claimed Russian forces struck only military targets. He said Chief of the General Staff Valeri Gherasimov had reported the results of the "massive retaliatory strike" to President Vladimir Putin and that Russia would continue to intensify pressure to achieve its objectives in what Moscow calls its "special military operation."
The Chief of the General Staff, Valeri Gherasimov, presented (to President Putin) the results of the massive retaliatory strike. Of course, it is exclusively about military targets.
Foreign-made components
Ukraine's presidential commissioner for sanctions policy, Vladislav Vlasiuk, said the missiles and drones used in the attack contained approximately 35,000 foreign-made components. He listed parts from Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Intel, AMD, STMicroelectronics, Infineon, NXP, Murata, Bosch, Toshiba, Raspberry Pi, and Chinese manufacturers. Vlasiuk urged foreign governments and producers to tighten export controls, arguing that Russia continues to obtain critical technologies through intermediary supply chains despite existing sanctions.
Behind every such attack is not only Russia's military-industrial complex. These drones and missiles contain 35,000 foreign components.
International reaction
Romanian President Nicușor Dan condemned the attack, calling it reckless and irresponsible, and said Russia had "once again demonstrated that it does not want peace." He pledged Romania's continued support for Ukraine.
Romania firmly condemns the recent reckless and irresponsible attack by Russia against Kyiv, which caused a large number of innocent victims and wounded citizens. Russia has once again demonstrated that it does not want peace and does not adopt reasonable behaviour to advance towards a comprehensive security situation.
