A large Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed 31 people and injured 102, according to the final toll issued after search-and-rescue operations ended on July 4. The bombardment began overnight on July 2 and continued for about 11 hours, sending residents across the Ukrainian capital into shelters.
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 long-range drones during the attack, with most aimed at Kyiv. It said 48 missiles and 476 drones were intercepted or suppressed, while ballistic missiles and drones struck dozens of locations. Russia's defence ministry said its forces targeted military-linked sites, weapons production and energy facilities. Ukrainian authorities reported extensive damage to residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.
Emergency crews worked through collapsed and burned apartment buildings, including a partially destroyed multistorey block in the Darnytskyi district. Damage was recorded across every district of the city. Authorities also reported impacts at an ambulance station, a scientific institute, a hotel and businesses. Energy equipment and communications infrastructure were damaged, causing some power and internet disruption.
Kyiv Metro said approximately 52,500 people, including nearly 4,500 children, sheltered in its 46 underground stations during the air raid. The scale of the attack made it the largest single-night use of the metro as a shelter during the war, according to local officials.
The casualty figure rose over the following two days as rescuers continued searching damaged buildings. Early reports cited 21 deaths and more than 90 injuries; the State Emergency Service later confirmed 31 deaths and 102 injured after the last victim was recovered. Two children were among those hurt. Kyiv declared July 3 a day of mourning.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack underscored Ukraine's shortage of air-defence interceptors and again called for faster delivery of Patriot missiles promised by partner countries. Ukraine's foreign minister described the bombardment as a night of horror. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov maintained that Russian forces had attacked military or military-linked targets, although the strikes caused widespread damage in populated areas.
