Russia strikes Kyiv with drones and missiles following warning of large attack
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a significant Russian strike hours before reports of explosions were heard in the capital. Multiple news outlets confirmed that both ballistic missiles and drones targeted various areas in Kyiv.
Amalgamated from Al Jazeera (opens in new tab), Deutsche Welle (opens in new tab), New York Times (opens in new tab)
Several explosions were reported across Kyiv on July 2 as the city faced an attack involving drones and ballistic missiles. The strikes occurred several hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a "massive strike" being prepared by Russian forces, according to reports from the New York Times and Al Jazeera.
Deutsche Welle also reported that multiple explosions were heard in the capital as defense systems attempted to intercept incoming projectiles. These reports confirm that the strikes impacted various locations within the city's urban center.
The combination of prior warnings and subsequent strikes has been documented by several international news agencies covering the region. The scale of the strike was noted across multiple reporting outlets, confirming both the presence of drones and ballistic missiles in the assault on the capital.
Why this matters
The attacks target the Ukrainian capital's infrastructure and have prompted a continued focus on the efficacy of air defense systems against a mix of drone and missile technologies. The coordination between official warnings and subsequent strikes highlights the ongoing tension regarding the targeting of urban centers in the conflict.
What's confirmed / what isn't
Multiple independent news outlets confirmed that both drones and ballistic missiles hit Kyiv following an official warning from President Zelenskyy. Reports regarding specific missile types, such as Tsirkon or Kalibr, and specific casualty counts are only mentioned in social media posts and were not included in the primary reports from Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, or the New York Times.
Background
Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and has been a frequent target of Russian aerial strikes since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. These attacks often involve a mix of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).