Large attack on Kyiv: At least 17 dead, Klitschko calls it the heaviest attack since the start of the war

Kyiv – 02.07.2026: On the night into Tuesday and in the early morning, the Ukrainian capital was hit by a massive wave of Russian missile and drone attacks. According to the city administration, at least 17 civilians were killed; dozens more were injured. Rescue teams searched heavily damaged residential buildings for people trapped under rubble, while dense plumes of smoke rose over several districts. Authorities warned the death toll could rise as recovery operations continue.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko called it the heaviest attack on Kyiv since the start of the Russian invasion. Affected areas included densely populated neighborhoods where debris and shockwaves ripped away facades, shattered window fronts, and set vehicles on fire. Numerous residents spent the night in subway stations and shelters. Municipal utilities reported damage to lines and substations; parts of the public infrastructure had to be temporarily shut down to prevent fires.

President Wolodymyr Selenskyj cut short a visit to Dublin and returned to Kyiv. He urged Ukraine’s partners to accelerate the delivery of modern air-defense systems and to quickly provide consumables for defense — including missiles for ground-based systems. Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha and other government officials renewed the appeal to allies on Thursday to strengthen protection for urban areas and critical infrastructure.

The Ukrainian Air Force said that a large portion of the incoming targets had been intercepted. Nevertheless, several explosive munitions struck residential areas. Official information on the types and flight paths of the weapons used remained limited at first; local authorities reported combined attacks with cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the strikes were a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure facilities. Independent confirmation of this claim was not available.

Hospitals in Kyiv took in numerous injured people with cuts and blast injuries; emergency shelters were opened for evacuees. International media consistently reported hours of explosions and widespread damage. Diplomatic responses initially took the form of expressions of solidarity and renewed debates about air-defense aid. Concrete decisions by individual states were not yet known immediately after the attack.

The latest wave of attacks underscores the continued vulnerability of urban centers in Ukraine. For the city, this means extensive clearing and security work in the short term, medium-term repairs to power and heating networks, and support for those who have lost their homes. The security situation remained tense into the morning; authorities urged the population to take air-raid alarms seriously and to follow official instructions.