02/07/2026 04:19 - Internacionales
The early hours of Thursday, July 2, 2026 marked a new chapter of horror in the war between Russia and Ukraine. At least 10 people died and more than 30 were injured in a massive attack launched by Russian forces against the Ukrainian capital, as reported by the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, through his Telegram channel.
The explosions from drones and missiles, combined with interceptions by Ukrainian air defenses, resonated throughout the city in the early hours of the day. The impacts caused damage to residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in five districts of the capital.
Context for international readers: Kyiv is the capital and largest city of Ukraine, located in the north-central part of the country. It has been a frequent target of Russian attacks since the invasion began in February 2022.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned the previous day about the preparation of a massive attack by Russia. He was on an official visit to Dublin, participating in the inauguration ceremony of the Irish presidency of the EU, when he received reports about the imminent offensive.
Zelensky had to urgently return to Kyiv and asked the population not to ignore air raid alarms and to go to shelters when the sirens sounded.
On Wednesday, July 1, a series of Russian attacks left at least 6 dead and about 50 wounded in different regions of Ukraine, as announced by local authorities.
The violence spread through Kharkiv, Odesa, and Kherson, demonstrating a coordinated offensive that affected both the east and south of the country.
| City/Region | Deaths | Wounded | Attack Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyiv | 10 | +30 | Massive attack with drones and missiles in 5 districts |
| Kharkiv | 1 (15 years old) | 32 | 7 bombs in 3 districts |
| Odesa | 2 | 15 | Ballistic missiles that caused fires |
| Kherson | 2 | 2 | Drone attack on minibus and administrative building |
In Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine located near the Russian border, seven bombs impacted three different districts. Mayor Igor Terekhov reported via Telegram that a 15-year-old teenager lost his life and another 32 people were injured in the bombings.
Geographic note: Kharkiv is about 40 km from the Russian border and has been one of the most heavily attacked cities since the war began.
In the Odesa region, in southern Ukraine on the Black Sea coast, two people died and 15 were injured in a ballistic missile attack that caused a fire, as reported by regional governor Oleh Kiper.
In Kherson, also in the south, a minibus was attacked by a drone, killing an 18-year-old woman and another person. In another drone attack against an administrative building, one person died and two others were injured, according to governor Oleksandr Prokudin.
Context: Kherson was liberated by Ukrainian forces in November 2022 but remains under constant attack from Russian positions on the east bank of the Dnieper River.
These attacks occur within the framework of the war between Russia and Ukraine that has been ongoing since February 2022. Russian forces have intensified their offensives with drones and missiles against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
Simultaneously, Ukraine has carried out attacks against Russian oil refineries, generating what President Vladimir Putin acknowledged as a certain fuel shortage in Russia, although he clarified that it is not critical.
President Zelensky continues to manage international support for his country's defense, as evidenced by his participation in the inauguration ceremony of the Irish presidency of the EU in Dublin.
Sources: Deutsche Welle, AFP, dpa, local Ukrainian authorities.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
