Russian Bombs Kill 27 Ukrainians in Kyiv

Russia launched 74 missiles and 476 drones in the Ukrainian capital, killing at least 27 residents and injuring 85 while more are missing. This has been one of the deadliest attacks since the first invasions in 2022. The bombing took place on July 2nd as a response to Ukraine’s recent attacks. Many buildings were destroyed, trapping people under the rubble. First responders are still currently looking for missing people after the bombing.

At dawn on July 2nd, Russia started their attack. An estimated amount of 50,000 citizens hid in subway stations, while others sought shelter in homes. After 11 hours, the attacks stopped, and firefighters immediately started putting out the fires and rescuing people buried under debris. President Zelensky said that more than 30 structures were damaged.

The Kyiv attack also used 28 ballistic missiles, which only Patriot systems could stop. Although NATO allies had been sending many interceptor missiles, Ukraine currently has a shortage of Patriot interceptors, making it harder to defend Kyiv from the ballistic missiles.

Ukraine has been developing long-range missiles and drones to attack deeper into Russia and parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia. Although they were hitting many fuel sources and critical infrastructure, Russian President Vladimir V. Putin has claimed in an interview that the attacks were not “critical.”

The Russian defense has stated that this deadly attack was in response to the long-range bombing. Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha replied on social media that it was wrongful to compare Russia’s attacks to Ukraine’s, since “in this war, there is an aggressor and a country defending itself.”

A big attack was already expected by Ukraine, as there had been a two-week gap from its last bombing, letting Russia stock up more missiles and drones. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the people of Kyiv that Russia would attack soon and to be careful.

The Kyiv attack also used 28 ballistic missiles, which only Patriot systems could stop. Although NATO allies had been sending many interceptor missiles, Ukraine currently has a shortage of Patriot interceptors, making it harder to defend Kyiv from the ballistic missiles.