Kyiv, July 2 (V7N) – At least eight people were killed and dozens more injured after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone (UAV) attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, early Thursday, just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of an impending "massive" Russian strike.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's Military Administration, said the attacks struck nearly three dozen locations across the city, killing at least eight people. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least 34 others were injured.
The assault severely damaged residential areas, including a nine-storey apartment building. A large section of a high-rise residential block collapsed, leaving several people trapped beneath the rubble as emergency crews continued search and rescue operations.
Hours before the attack, Zelenskyy cut short his visit to Ireland and returned to Ukraine. Speaking alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at a joint press conference in Dublin, the Ukrainian president said intelligence reports indicated that Russia was preparing a "massive attack." He urged citizens to remain on high alert and seek shelter whenever air raid warnings were issued.
Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of refusing to end the war despite Ukraine's willingness to engage in meaningful peace negotiations. He said Putin remained committed to further aggression against both Ukraine and Europe rather than pursuing a diplomatic solution.
As air raid sirens echoed across the capital, residents carrying sleeping mats took refuge in Kyiv's underground metro stations.
In response to the large-scale attack, neighbouring Poland—a NATO and European Union member—briefly scrambled fighter jets as a precautionary measure. The aircraft were later stood down after no violations of Polish airspace were detected.
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