At least 22 killed in heavy Russian attack on Ukrainian cities

A resident clears debris from his damaged balcony after overnight Russian missile and drone attacks, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

03 Jun 2026 01:38AM

(Updated: 03 Jun 2026 01:54AM)

KYIV: Russia pounded Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles early on Tuesday (Jun 2) in a heavy attack that authorities said killed 22 people and wounded more than 100.The strikes on cities including Kyiv and Dnipro followed Russian warnings of "systematic" attacks on the capital after a drone attack on a dormitory in Ukraine's Russian-held region of Luhansk last month. Kyiv denies targeting the dormitory.It was the third heavy assault on Kyiv in under a month, but Russia has been relentlessly attacking Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, since it invaded its smaller neighbour in 2022.US-brokered talks on the war in Ukraine have stalled with Washington focusing on Iran, while Russian advances on the battlefield have slowed this year and Kyiv has stepped up strikes on Russian oil refineries.

ZELENSKYY CALLS FOR AIR DEFENCE SUPPLIES Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had fired 73 missiles and more than 600 drones in the overnight attack and urged Washington to send additional Patriot missile interceptors to replenish Kyiv's dwindling supplies. "This was a large-scale attack and an absolutely clear statement from Russia: if Ukraine is not protected from ballistic and other missile strikes, these attacks will continue," Zelenskyy said on Telegram.The Kremlin said the war had entered "a new paradigm" after what it called "inhumane acts of terror" by Ukraine's military against civilians, echoing accusations Kyiv has made against Russian forces. Moscow warned last week of systematic strikes and urged foreigners to leave Kyiv.Zelenskiy sent a letter last week to US President Donald Trump and Congress, asking for air defence systems. As of Monday, officials said he had not received a response. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged partners to take "concrete steps" to help Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia, appealing for tougher sanctions and more military support."Moscow is losing on the battlefield. No number of missiles can change this. What we can change is Russia's ability to continue terror," he said on X.The US has been Ukraine's main foreign supplier of weapons but Kyiv has also been purchasing Patriot missiles through a NATO initiative, financed by its European allies.