03/07/2026 03:26 - Internacionales
On July 2, 2026, Kyiv, the vibrant capital of Ukraine, suffered one of the most intense bombardments of the ongoing conflict, according to a report by the Argentine newspaper La Nacion. Russia deployed a massive offensive using 74 missiles and 496 drones, including 24 Iskander-M ballistic missiles (a type of short-range tactical ballistic missile system). Only 4 of these missiles could be intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses.
The relentless attack, which lasted several hours from dawn to night, left a tragic toll of at least 20 dead and more than 90 wounded. Faced with the magnitude of the offensive, Kyiv's mayor, former boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, declared a day of mourning. To stay safe, approximately 52,000 people were forced to take shelter in the city's subway stations, which have been adapted as deep underground bomb shelters since the war began.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was in Dublin, Ireland, meeting with European leaders, had to urgently return to his country. Prior to the attack, Ukrainian intelligence services had already warned of the imminent offensive. This bombardment comes at a critical moment, coinciding with Ukraine's request for greater support and reinforcements for its air defense during a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an intergovernmental military alliance between 32 member states) meeting.
International analyst Andres Repetto explained that this attack is a message for the rest of Europe. Repetto noted that the offensive is a direct response from Russian President Vladimir Putin to European countries supporting Ukraine. The reality is that Europe is preparing for a potential conflict with Russia, not only on Ukrainian soil. The specialist referred to how several European nations are beginning to recruit young people for military service.
Despite the harshness of the attacks, Ukraine has remarkably improved its preparedness against the war thanks to international support. Analysts highlight that the Ukrainian people continue to resist, adapting their civilian infrastructure to protect the population, demonstrating enormous strength in the face of adversity. Furthermore, reports indicate that Russia is facing a domestic fuel crisis, with gasoline production falling by 25%, which could impact its war efforts.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
