Russia Hits Kyiv With Major Drone, Missile Barrage, Killing 8 as Poland Scrambles Jets
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2
Russia Hits Kyiv With Major Drone, Missile Barrage, Killing 8 as Poland Scrambles Jets
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2
Summary
Eight people were killed and 25 injured in an overnight Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv, with officials saying residential areas were hit and several neighbourhoods evacuated.
Explosions from drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles shook the capital, air defences lit the sky, and multiple fires broke out; an ambulance station was damaged and at least one person was left critically injured.
Poland activated fighter jets as a preventive step to protect airspace near the border, though there were no reports of any strike on Polish territory.
The barrage came hours after Volodymyr Zelensky cut short a Dublin visit and warned that intelligence showed Moscow had been preparing a "massive" strike for some time.
It was Russia's first large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine in more than two weeks, underscoring a war that remains largely entrenched even as fighting intensifies around eastern strongholds.
As Ukraine's drone swarms hit Moscow, can Russia's military adapt fast enough to win the escalating technology war?
If Ukrainian forces are now seizing the initiative, why do forecasts still predict a 'frozen conflict' without victory?
Escalation and Resilience: The Russia-Ukraine Air War, Humanitarian Crisis, and Global Response in June 2026
Overview
In late June 2026, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine sharply escalated as Russian forces intensified missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, leading to immediate civilian and infrastructure damage. In response, Ukraine launched retaliatory strikes deep into Russian territory. This escalation increased risks to civilians, hindered evacuation efforts, and strained Ukraine’s energy grid, prompting urgent international responses and calls for de-escalation. The growing use of short-range drones by Russian forces near the frontlines further isolated communities and complicated humanitarian operations, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict on civilian life and the urgent need for diplomatic solutions.