Kyiv, June 2 (SANA) At least 11 people were killed and around 100 others injured after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight, targeting major cities including Kyiv and Dnipro, Ukrainian authorities said on Tuesday.
The strikes came after warnings from Ukrainian officials that Moscow was preparing a major attack. Russia has intensified aerial assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure, while Kyiv has increased drone strikes on Russian energy facilities as the conflict continues.
In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said four people were killed and 65 injured, including children. A suspected missile strike hit a 24-story residential building, causing partial collapse and leaving residents potentially trapped beneath the rubble. Several fires also broke out across the capital after what authorities said was falling missile debris.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 73 missiles and 656 drones during the attack, primarily targeting Kyiv. It said air defenses intercepted or neutralized 40 missiles and 602 drones. An Air Force spokesperson said the barrage included eight Zircon hypersonic missiles, possibly the largest number used by Russia in a single operation since the war began.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had carried out a “massive strike” on facilities linked to Ukraine’s defense industry using long-range precision weapons.
In the southeastern Dnipro region, Governor Oleksandr Hanza said seven people were killed and 36 wounded in attacks on the city of Dnipro and nearby areas. Emergency services said one of those killed was a rescue worker who died in a follow-up strike targeting first responders.
In northeastern Kharkiv region, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 10 people, including a child, were injured in separate missile and drone attacks.
The attacks prompted neighboring Poland to scramble military aircraft to secure its airspace, according to the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said air defense systems shot down 148 Ukrainian drones overnight. Reuters said it could not independently verify reports from either side.
The war in Ukraine has continued since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, with diplomatic efforts to end the conflict making little progress.
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