KYIV, Ukraine July 2, 2026 — Explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital overnight as Russia launched a large-scale aerial assault using ballistic missiles, including hypersonic Zircon types, and waves of strike drones.
The attack, which began with reports of explosions around 9:40 p.m. local time on July 1 and continued into the early hours of July 2, left at least one person dead and 11 others injured, according to the latest updates from local authorities.
Ukrainian air defenses engaged multiple incoming threats, but several strikes caused damage across the city. A hotel in central Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district caught fire after being hit. Residential buildings were damaged or destroyed in multiple districts, including reports of a multi-story apartment building affected with people trapped under rubble in some accounts. Fires were reported in several locations near residential areas.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had issued a warning hours earlier, stating that intelligence indicated Russia was preparing another major air strike. “Once or twice a week, there are large-scale air strikes. Today, there is worrying news about preparations for yet another such mass Russian air strike,” he said.
Air raid alerts sounded across Kyiv and other regions. Residents took shelter in metro stations as drones approached from multiple directions and additional waves of attacks were reported.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and city military administration officials confirmed injuries, including among medical workers in one district. All injured individuals were hospitalized. Rescue operations were underway at damaged sites.
The attack comes amid ongoing Russian long-range strikes on Ukrainian cities and follows Ukrainian drone operations targeting Russian infrastructure, including oil refineries.
Social media users and independent accounts first reported “several explosions heard in Kyiv following Russian strikes” late on July 1, with the information rapidly corroborated by official sources and on-the-ground journalists.
Russia has repeatedly used combined missile and drone barrages against Ukrainian cities throughout the war. Ukrainian officials have noted Russia’s increasing reliance on ballistic missiles to overwhelm air defenses.
The situation remains fluid, with Ukrainian forces continuing to monitor and respond to incoming threats. No immediate Russian statement on the specific targets or objectives of this strike was available at the time of reporting.
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