Kyiv residents mourned those killed in a Russian overnight attack on July 2 that marked one of the biggest strikes on the Ukrainian capital this year and left at least 30 people dead and nearly 100 more injured.
Kyiv Mourns Victims Of Major Russian Drone And Missile Attack
1
A major Russian drone and missile attack set Kyiv ablaze overnight on July 2, leaving areas across the Ukrainian capital strewn with shattered glass, charred trees, and burnt-out cars.
Local resident Olha visited the aftermath in the city's Darnytskiy district with her children. She used to live in a high-rise residential building there that was now partially reduced to rubble following the strikes.
Local resident Olha visited the aftermath in the city's Darnytskiy district with her children. She used to live in a high-rise residential building there that was now partially reduced to rubble following the strikes.
2
"We were just here on Sunday. My little kid was playing on the swings," Olha told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, holding back tears.
She said her family moved out of the building a year ago, adding that her children were born there, on the sixth floor.
She said her family moved out of the building a year ago, adding that her children were born there, on the sixth floor.
3
As of July 3, the bodies of 10 people killed in the Russian attack had been recovered from beneath the building's rubble, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.
4
Some residents brought flowers and toys to the scene.
Olha said she knew many of her neighbors who lived in the building, including a man who was killed in the attack.
"My husband used to talk to him a lot," she added, struggling to continue. "It's a nightmare."
Olha said she knew many of her neighbors who lived in the building, including a man who was killed in the attack.
"My husband used to talk to him a lot," she added, struggling to continue. "It's a nightmare."
5
Russia's July 2 attack on Kyiv caused the largest destruction in the city this year to date and was the deadliest in months.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cut short his visit to Ireland to fly back. He said damage had been reported at more than 20 sites across the capital, including an ambulance station, a research institute, and a hotel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cut short his visit to Ireland to fly back. He said damage had been reported at more than 20 sites across the capital, including an ambulance station, a research institute, and a hotel.
6
On July 3, Ukraine's State Emergency Service continued efforts to clear debris and search for survivors. Operations were ongoing at at least three more locations in the Darnytskiy district.
"Every day and every night, the Russians strike ordinary civilian infrastructure, and terror is the only argument they have left for not stopping the war," Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X on July 3.
"Every day and every night, the Russians strike ordinary civilian infrastructure, and terror is the only argument they have left for not stopping the war," Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X on July 3.
7
Russia's military said the assault was in response to "terrorist attacks" against Russian "civilian infrastructure," as it came amid weeks of Ukrainian drone strikes that have targeted Russian oil refineries.
The campaign caused nationwide fuel shortages inside Russia and stoked discontent among Russians who were previously unaffected by the Ukraine war, now in its fifth year.
The campaign caused nationwide fuel shortages inside Russia and stoked discontent among Russians who were previously unaffected by the Ukraine war, now in its fifth year.
