At least 13 killed in Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv - full story
At least 13 people lost their lives and dozens more were injured overnight in Kyiv, according to local authorities, following a large-scale drone and missile assault launched by Russian forces on the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Thursday.
Fires were reported across multiple locations in the city as dawn arrived, with strikes or falling debris impacting residential buildings in various districts and a hotel situated on one of Kyiv’s central boulevards. The death toll of 13 may increase, as emergency services indicated that 86 individuals were wounded, 70 of whom required hospitalisation.
Loud explosions reverberated throughout the capital for several hours as successive waves of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles approached, while Ukrainian air defence units endeavored to intercept them.
Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, posted on Telegram that in one location, the first through sixth floors of an apartment building collapsed following a direct hit. At another site, residents were rescued from beneath rubble after a portion of a block of flats gave way.
Russia has consistently conducted combined missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, and there had been speculation in recent days about the possibility of another major offensive. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned Ukrainians on Wednesday about a potential attack that night, urging citizens to exercise caution, protect themselves and their children, and use shelters.
“I am asking all our people to be extra careful, take care of yourselves and your children, and use shelters, this is very important,”
he said during a visit to Dublin.
Russia ‘mounted drone surveillance of European nuclear sites over 18 months’
Researchers have revealed that the Kremlin orchestrated an extensive surveillance campaign employing drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period, targeting nuclear facilities in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) analyzed 144 incidents across more than a dozen countries starting in late 2024, concluding that Russian intelligence operated with considerable impunity, leaving European authorities unprepared and confused.
Drones were repeatedly observed over airbases and airports, yet Western militaries failed to capture or shoot them down, exposing a strategic shortfall in NATO air defences, which the think tank noted had been tacitly acknowledged across Europe.
Among the targeted sites were RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, a UK base being readied to host US nuclear weapons, and France’s nuclear submarine base at Île Longue in Brittany. These unarmed drones are believed to have been launched from sea vessels.
European governments have been hesitant to directly accuse Russia of responsibility, but Charlie Edwards, a senior fellow at IISS, stated that every government consulted welcomed the report’s publication.
Returning to Ukraine, the Russian Defence Ministry described its "massive attack" on Kyiv as involving long-range, high-precision air-, land-, and sea-launched weapons and drones, targeting military and energy infrastructure, airports, and other sites, according to .
The ministry claimed the assault was retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 drones during the attack. While air defence units intercepted most, 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones struck 33 locations.
Merz presents coalition reform package in bid to revive economy amid AfD challenge
In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz unveiled plans for comprehensive reforms aimed at revitalizing the country’s faltering economy and countering the rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) ahead of crucial state elections this autumn.
The reform package includes income tax cuts amounting to €10 billion, financed by increased taxes on the wealthy, and modifications to the pension system that will gradually raise the retirement age to 67, according to AFP.
The tax relief will primarily be funded by raising the top tax rate to 47% from 45% for individuals earning €280,000 or more annually, reported.
Additional measures include an action plan against benefit fraud, elimination of the ability for workers to obtain sick notes by phone, and a target to reduce staffing by 8% in federal ministries through digitisation, added.
Merz’s CDU/CSU coalition currently trails the AfD nationally by three to five percentage points in polls, with the junior coalition partner SPD in fourth place behind the Greens.
In September, closely watched local elections will take place in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD is polling above 40% and could potentially assume power for the first time.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that the city will observe a day of mourning on Friday to honor the victims of the overnight strikes.
Flags will be lowered on all municipal buildings, and other landlords are encouraged to do the same where applicable. All entertainment events in the city will be cancelled.
'The more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions must be imposed,' EU foreign policy chief says
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas responded to the attacks on Kyiv by announcing plans to propose additional sanctions against Russia.
“Words of condemnation alone will not stop attacks on Kyiv. Only sustained military support for Ukraine and increased pressure on Moscow can do that,”
she said.
“Today, I will propose to sanction more entities supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex in response to the strikes. The more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions must be imposed. We keep raising the cost until Russia understands it cannot win.”
Kallas also confirmed that all EU staff in Ukraine are accounted for and expressed gratitude for their service under challenging conditions.
Morning opening: At least 13 killed in overnight Russian attacks on Kyiv
At least 13 people were killed in overnight Russian attacks on Kyiv, hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cut short his visit to Ireland, warning that Moscow was preparing a "massive attack." At least 86 individuals were injured during the strikes.
Zelenskyy reported that at least 20 sites were targeted overnight, most of which were ordinary residential buildings. Damage was also reported to an ambulance station, a research institute, a hotel, and local businesses.
“Air defence supplies for Ukraine are an absolute and critical priority,”
he emphasized, reiterating his request for a US license to produce Patriot missiles domestically in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged allies to expedite support for Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.
“Do not delay decisions on air defence for Ukraine! This is our main request to our partners after Kyiv suffered a night of horror,”
he stated.
Additional updates from Kyiv will be provided as the situation develops.
Separately, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is presenting his government’s new reform agenda this morning, aiming to regain momentum after criticism of his performance. Key points from this will also be reported.
It is Thursday, 2 July 2026. This is Jakub Krupa with Europe Live.
