ALBAWABA- The death toll from Russia's massive overnight missile and drone strikes on Kyiv has risen to 21 people, while nearly 90 others were injured, as rescue workers continued searching through the rubble of collapsed residential buildings, with authorities warning that the number of casualties could still increase.
The large-scale attack, carried out overnight between July 1 and July 2, was one of the heaviest assaults on the Ukrainian capital in recent months. Ukrainian authorities said Russia launched 74 missiles, including a significant number of ballistic missiles, and 496 drones against Ukraine, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the attack.
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted or neutralized most of the incoming weapons, but several missiles and drones struck residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure.
The bombardment caused widespread destruction across multiple districts of Kyiv, with apartment buildings collapsing or sustaining severe damage, fires breaking out at several locations—including a hotel in the city center—and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. Rescue teams remain at several impact sites, where bodies are still being recovered from the debris.
Dozens of the wounded, including children, were hospitalized as emergency crews continued rescue and recovery operations across the capital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said emergency crews were continuing rescue operations across Kyiv, where more than 20 sites—mostly residential buildings—were damaged in the attack. He said the strikes also hit an ambulance station, a research institute, a hotel and several businesses.
Zelensky said Russia launched more than 70 missiles, nearly half of them ballistic, along with almost 500 attack drones overnight, with Kyiv as the primary target. While Ukrainian air defenses intercepted many of the incoming weapons, he said not all could be stopped.
Calling air defense Ukraine's "absolute and critical priority," Zelensky renewed his appeal for additional international military support, including more air defense systems and progress on agreements to produce anti-ballistic capabilities. He also urged the United States to move forward with decisions on licenses for Patriot air defense systems and other defense cooperation, saying such measures were essential to preventing future attacks and protecting civilian lives.
Russia's Defense Ministry said the strikes targeted military, energy and related facilities, describing the operation as retaliation for recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure. Ukrainian officials, however, said the assault heavily struck civilian areas, making it one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv in recent months.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned shortly before the attack that Russia was preparing a major aerial attack.
The latest barrage comes as both sides continue exchanging long-range strikes, with Ukraine targeting Russian energy facilities and Moscow maintaining pressure on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
