Russian ballistic missiles hit Kiev overnight, killing 9 and wounding at least 23; Moscow says it struck military industry sites

Attack on Kiev

Russian forces launched a large-scale ballistic missile and drone attack on Kiev during the night between 31 July and 1 August 2026. Explosions were reported across at least five districts of the capital: Solomyansky, Golosiivsky, Darnytsky, Shevchenkivsky and Pechersky. An AFP journalist heard multiple blasts that set off car alarms in the streets.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the assault on Telegram, writing that the city was under ballistic missile fire and urging residents to stay in shelters.

Explosions in the city. Kiev under ballistic attack.

Emergency services reported that a fire broke out in a six-storey building in the Solomianskyi district as a result of the strike, and blackouts occurred in several areas of the capital.

Casualties and damage

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said that nine people were killed in the attack, while the number of wounded ranged from 23 to 28 across different updates. The Ukrainian news agency Rbc-Ukraine cited fatalities in all five affected districts. Of the injured, 17 were said to be in serious condition, and some of the victims were children.

Rescue teams worked through the rubble to search for survivors as fires continued to burn in multiple locations. The military administration of Kiev warned that the threat of further ballistic missile strikes remained high and called on everyone to stay in shelters until the air-raid alarm was lifted.

The threat of ballistic missile use remains high. We urge everyone to stay in shelters until the air raid alarm is lifted.

Russia claims it targeted military industry

Shortly after the attack, the Russian Defence Ministry posted on Telegram that its forces had carried out a "massive strike" using missiles and drones against targets in Kiev and the broader Kiev region. The ministry said the targets were "facilities of the military-industrial complex and logistics centres" involved in the production, storage and transport of missile weapons, drones, radar stations and electronic warfare systems.

The massive attack targeted facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex and logistics centres in the city of Kiev and the Kiev region that are involved in the production, storage and transport of various types of missile weapons, drones, radar stations and electronic warfare systems.

Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory

Earlier that night, the Russian Defence Ministry also reported that its air defences had intercepted 274 Ukrainian drones over 17 Russian regions, including the Moscow region, as well as over occupied Crimea, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. As a consequence, temporary flight restrictions were imposed at eight Russian airports, Bugulma, Kazan, Nizhnekamsk (Begishevo), Nizhny Novgorod (Chkalov), Orenburg, Samara (Kurumoch), Saratov (Gagarin) and Cheboksary, limiting both departures and arrivals.

Pentagon steps back from NATO aid command

In a parallel development, Politico reported, citing unnamed sources, that the Pentagon is relinquishing leadership of the NATO command that coordinates military assistance to Ukraine. The so-called Security Assistance Group will be handed over to another NATO member, a move that signals a further American disengagement from the conflict’s long-term planning. Under the new arrangement, the United States would no longer contribute to shaping the future structure of Ukraine’s armed forces.

The toll from the night’s violence adds to a deadly week: the previous evening, eight people were killed near Kryvyi Rih, including six members of the same family, while two more died in separate bombardments in Kiev and Poltava.