Russia Unleashes One of the Largest Attacks of the War on Kyiv — 14 Dead, Over 100 Injured, Children Trapped Under Rubble

Kyiv, Ukraine — June 2, 2026

Russia launched one of the most devastating aerial attacks of the entire war overnight, targeting Ukraine's capital Kyiv and multiple other cities with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles — killing at least 14 civilians, injuring more than 100 others and leaving children trapped under the rubble of collapsed apartment buildings.

The Scale of the Attack

Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight. Hits were recorded at 38 locations across Ukraine. Debris from destroyed drones fell on 15 locations.

Ukraine's Air Force said Russian forces launched 73 cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missiles alongside swarms of Shahed attack drones in the overnight barrage — one of the largest single attacks of the full-scale war.

The attack stretched from late night into the early morning hours, with explosions continuing to rock the city for hours as air defense systems fought desperately to intercept the incoming threats.

The Human Cost

At least four people were killed in Kyiv and 63 people were injured, including three children, Ukraine's state emergency service confirmed. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were damaged across eight Kyiv districts.

In the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, eight people were killed and 36 others injured. Among the dead was a 3-year-old child, whose body was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed apartment building by emergency crews.

The scenes emerging from both cities are devastating — collapsed residential blocks, burning cars, shattered glass and emergency crews working through the night and into the morning to reach those trapped beneath the debris.

Kyiv Mayor Klitschko Speaks

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the scale of the attack on Telegram, reporting damage across every district of the city. Emergency services were simultaneously responding to multiple active incidents across Kyiv while air raid sirens continued to blare.

Residents sheltered in metro stations throughout the night as the barrage continued hour after hour.

Russia's Justification

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed the overnight strikes targeted Ukraine's "military-industrial and energy facilities" — a standard claim that Ukrainian officials and international observers have consistently rejected, pointing to the repeated and documented destruction of apartment buildings, schools, markets and hospitals.

The International Reaction

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack, stating:

"Russia's massive attack on Ukraine shows the Kremlin's brutality and disregard for both human life and peace negotiations."

She confirmed the European Union would send additional support to help Ukraine reinforce its air defense systems.

What Comes Next

The attack comes amid ongoing but stalled peace negotiations, with Russia launching this massive barrage just days after both sides had been reported as close to a ceasefire framework.

For the people of Kyiv — there is no ceasefire. There are only sirens, explosions and the devastating human cost of a war that shows no sign of ending.

DeSanta News will continue to update this story as casualty figures are confirmed and further details emerge.