On Thursday, July 2nd, Russia carried out an enormous major drone strike on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. Launching hundreds of weapons, using drones and ballistic missiles, the attack was one of the deadliest thus far. Ukrainian officials stated that at least 27 people died and 80 or more were injured.

The attack came after a host of successful Ukrainian missions against Russia. Recently, the country expanded its drone and missile programs in order to target military bases, fuel deposits, and more important locations, disrupting Russian supply lines and increasing economic pressure. In state-sanctioned media, Russia’s officials called the attack “retaliation.”

As the attack worsened, thousands of Ukrainian civilians took refuge in underground subway stations, garages, and even home shelters for those who had them. Emergency workers and first responders rushed to impact sites, seeking to contain fires and assist in damage control.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously warned about suspected Russian preparation for a large-scale attack after weeks of a somewhat fairly calm standstill. Military officers called for additional air defense systems, illustrating that despite continued support from Western allies, interception weaponry still remained limited.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine first began in February of 2022 after periods of rising tension. Since then, millions of Ukrainian civilians have been displaced, and cities across the nation have been hit with recurring missile and drone strikes. International supporters, including member states of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the EU (European Union), have been supplying Ukraine with military equipment, fiscal aid, and general assistance, while Russia’s economy has been crippled with sweeping sanctions.