Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on multiple Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia on June 2, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. The assault involved 73 missiles and 656 drones starting the evening of June 1, according to Ukraine's Air Force, which said many were intercepted by air defenses [7, 8].
The strikes caused explosions, fires, and blackouts across the affected cities. In Kyiv, multiple fires broke out, including near a kindergarten and in open areas of the Obolon district, while missile debris ignited vehicle fires [3, 4, 6, 8]. Several high-rise apartment buildings were damaged, with at least one 24-story building in the Podil district suffering a partial collapse after a missile or falling debris struck it [1, 2, 5, 7, 8]. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that people might be trapped under rubble and urged residents to stay in shelters, saying, "Explosions in the city. Air defence forces are working! Stay in shelters!" [1, 5].
The attacks killed at least 9 people across Ukraine, including deaths in Kyiv and Dnipro. Fatality counts vary by source: one claims at least 4 dead in Kyiv and 4 in Dnipro, while others report up to 6 in Kyiv and 16 or more in Dnipro [1, 9, 10, 7, 8]. Dozens more were injured, including children.
More than 41,000 people sought refuge overnight in Kyiv metro stations, a record number since the war began, as citizens hid from ongoing air raids [9, 10]. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned the public of a possible massive strike a day earlier, urging vigilance and sheltering when alerts sounded. He said, "Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible, they have prepared one." [1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8]
Russia stated the strikes targeted Ukrainian military and defense industry facilities, aiming to damage command centers and key decision-making hubs in Kyiv [1, 2, 7, 8]. Rescue and damage assessment efforts continued in Kyiv on the morning of June 2 as authorities worked to locate survivors and contain fires [1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8].
