13 Killed as Russia Launches 656 Drones and 73 Missiles Against Ukraine

Ukrainian President Details Aftermath of June 2 Attack

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has disclosed the toll of a massive combined Russian assault on Ukraine that took place overnight on June 2. According to his figures, Russia deployed 656 attack drones and 73 missiles of various types. The primary target was Kyiv, where dozens of residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure sustained damage. The attack left 13 people dead and over 100 wounded.

Zelenskyy noted that 38 individuals are currently receiving necessary medical care in Kyiv hospitals. In the capital, four fatalities have been confirmed. In Dnipro, a search-and-rescue operation is ongoing at the site of a four-story apartment building, part of which was destroyed. In that city, the attack claimed nine lives, including one child, and injured 35 people. The fate of six others remains unknown.

Threat to Energy and Infrastructure

The president also emphasized that Russian strikes targeted energy facilities in the Kharkiv region and critical infrastructure in Kharkiv city. The following regions came under fire:

• Kyiv Oblast
• Mykolaiv Oblast
• Zaporizhzhia Oblast
• Poltava Oblast
• Sumy Oblast
• Chernihiv Oblast
• Khmelnytskyi Oblast

“The main strike was on Kyiv, where dozens of residential buildings and other purely civilian infrastructure were damaged again. Unfortunately, four fatalities have been reported. My condolences go out to all their families and loved ones,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated.

He further noted that 'nine people were killed in this attack, among them a child. Thirty-five were injured in the city. The fate of six more people is unknown. Their search will continue for as long as necessary.' According to the president, over 500 rescue workers are currently dealing with the aftermath of the shelling.

The Russian Ministry of Defense officially commented on the attack, claiming they carried out a massive strike using long-range precision weapons, including hypersonic missiles. Zelenskyy also stressed the urgent need to protect Ukraine from ballistic and other missile strikes, pointing to the requirement for European anti-ballistic systems and assistance from the United States in supplying missiles for Patriot systems.

This assault ranks among the largest recent attacks on Ukraine, underscoring the ongoing escalation of the conflict. Given the high number of casualties and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, the international community is once again expected to focus on the situation in Ukraine and the need for additional aid to restore security and stability in the region.

The recent escalation in drone strikes on Kyiv is part of a disturbing trend, as seen in a previous incident where the city was targeted by 1,560 drones, resulting in one fatality and significant damage to civilian infrastructure. For a closer look at the impact of these attacks and the ongoing threats to urban safety, you can read more about the earlier assault here.