In the early hours of June 2 local time, Russia launched a large-scale air raid targeting Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, alongside multiple other Ukrainian cities, deploying ballistic missiles and combat drones. Two rounds of blasts rocked Kyiv consecutively, triggering temporary blackouts in parts of the city.

The first explosion erupted around 1:30 a.m., immediately setting off city-wide air raid sirens. A string of powerful detonations followed at 2:15 a.m. Local Kyiv administrative authorities confirmed Russian forces employed ballistic missiles in the assault. The bombardment caused widespread civilian property damage: multiple vehicles caught fire in Podilskyi District; missile debris smashed building rooftops and shattered countless windowpanes. In Obolonskyi District, drone wreckage fell near a kindergarten and sparked a blaze at an unfinished construction site.

Weeks ahead of the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued successive early warnings. On May 29, based on intelligence shared by US and European allies, he predicted a massive Russian strike within 48 hours. On June 1, Zelensky reiterated that Russia had finalized all preparations for the assault and an attack could break out at any moment, with Ukraine’s air defense troops standing on round-the-clock alert and launching interception operations right after the airstrike kicked off.