Deadly Russian Attack On Kyiv Kills 27 As Drones, Missiles Pound City; Zelenskyy Vows To Retaliate

Last Updated:July 03, 2026, 09:03 IST

As the fallout from the attack continued, the European Union's top diplomat proposed fresh sanctions against Moscow.

Russia and Ukraine vowed fresh assaults in their over-four-year war after Moscow launched one of its heaviest attacks on Kyiv, which killed at least 27 people, ripped through apartment buildings and forced tens of thousands of residents to take shelter.

Visiting a residential building that was partially destroyed in the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country would “definitely" respond to the strikes.

As the fallout from the attack continued, the European Union’s top diplomat proposed fresh sanctions against Moscow. Zelenskyy also renewed his appeal to the United States, seeking licences to manufacture Patriot air-defence missiles.

Zelenskyy Cuts Short Visit

The Russian attack came just hours after Zelenskyy cut short his visit to Dublin on Wednesday, citing intelligence reports warning of an imminent strike by Moscow.

Reacting to the assault, Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin “has been preparing this massive strike against Ukraine for some time now".

In response to the attack, the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said she would propose a fresh round of sanctions against Moscow.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone campaign inside Russia, targeting military installations and energy infrastructure.

Russian authorities have reported repeated Ukrainian strikes in regions bordering Ukraine, while Moscow has said its air defence systems have intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones over the past few days.

‘Struggling To Sleep’

Russia launched a massive overnight aerial assault, firing 496 drones and 74 missiles, including ballistic missiles that are difficult to intercept, according to Ukraine’s air force.

The military said its air defence systems destroyed 48 missiles and 476 drones during the attack.

The scale of the barrage forced thousands of Kyiv residents to seek shelter. According to the Kyiv metro, around 52,000 people, including 4,500 children, took refuge in underground stations, the highest number recorded in recent years.

Others spent the night in basements and building corridors as explosions echoed across the Ukrainian capital.

Outside a residential building that was largely destroyed in the eastern Darnytskyi district, AFP reporters spoke to residents surveying the devastation.

“Half the building has been destroyed. The roof is gone," said 32-year-old factory worker Sabina Mambetova, standing outside the rubble of her home.

“I’ve been left without an apartment, alone with my child. I don’t know what to do now."

Among those sheltering in the metro was 32-year-old doctor Kateryna Kucheryava, who described the ordeal as the attack unfolded.

“It’s hard," she told AFP. “My child is used to sleeping in complete silence and darkness.

“I picked her up and carried her down. She woke up, and now she’s not sleeping anymore."

Along the station platforms, families pitched tents and rested on air mattresses and camping chairs, while mothers tried to sleep with their babies held close to their chests.

UN Criticises Strikes

The United Nations strongly criticised the strikes, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterating his call for a ceasefire.

“Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure wherever they occur are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately," said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The Kremlin, however, maintained its hardline position, pledging to intensify “pressure" on Kyiv and showing no sign of softening its stance.

Russia Says It Retaliated To Ukrainian Attacks

Russia said the overnight strikes were carried out in response to recent Ukrainian drone attacks inside its territory.

According to Moscow, the operation targeted Ukrainian military facilities, energy infrastructure and airports in Kyiv and other regions.

Earlier, Ukraine launched an overnight strike on a major oil refinery in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region.

The Kremlin said President Putin had been briefed on the attacks and signalled that Russia would continue stepping up military pressure to achieve its objectives in Ukraine.

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