Russian Missiles ‘Miss’ School by Meters in Kharkiv Morning Attack, Six Injured, Including Child

Russian forces launched a combined drone and missile attack on Kharkiv early Monday morning, June 2, targeting residential areas and industrial sites.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported on Telegram that two ballistic missiles struck the city’s Kyivskyi district.

One missile hit the ground near a dormitory, damaging its facade along with three nearby five-story residential buildings. Windows were shattered and facades were scarred. The second missile landed just meters from a school.

“When you stand near this crater, you realize how different everything could have been,” Terekhov wrote. “A few more meters, and the house would have been hit. A few more minutes, and cars or buses would have been passing. It’s a real miracle there were no casualties.”

“Missing” a target by a few meters is within the accepted accuracy (CEP, or circular error probable) of this weapon, meaning militarily they “hit” what they were aiming at, i.e., a children’s school.

Meanwhile, the Kholodnohirskyi district was targeted by drones. The strikes destroyed a production and warehouse facility of a private enterprise and damaged nearby residential houses. As of this morning, six people have been reported injured in this area, including a seven-year-old boy.

Other Topics of Interest

Romania Wants to Boost Air Defence After Drone Strike Blamed on Russia

Romania’s foreign minister said the country must strengthen air defence with NATO support after a drone strike near its Ukraine border injured two people. While not confirming intent, she blamed Russia for responsibility. Bucharest is seeking short-term NATO help and joint anti-drone cooperation with Kyiv amid repeated drone incursions.

Ukraine declared two air alerts during the early hours of June 2 due to a high risk of missile attacks, particularly from ballistic weapons launched from the northeast. Explosions were heard in both Kyiv and Kharkiv, and air defense systems were active in the cities.

From 9:30 p.m. on June 1 through the early hours of June 2, Russia launched an aerial attack against Ukraine, employing a total of 84 aerial strike vehicles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

The attack included 80 Shahed attack drones and decoy drones of various types; 3 Iskander-M / KN-23 ballistic missiles, and 1 Iskander-K cruise missile.

The primary targets of the air strikes were the Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Donetsk, and Kherson regions.

Ukrainian defenses responded with aircraft, anti-aircraft missile systems, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems, and mobile fire teams from across the Defense Forces.

“As of 08:30, air defense forces neutralized 52 of the enemy’s aerial strike assets in the east, south, and north of the country,” the report stated. “Fifteen Shahed UAVs and other drones were shot down by direct fire, while 37 were suppressed or lost due to electronic warfare.”

Despite the defense efforts, impacts were recorded in at least 12 locations.

The Ukrainian Navy also warned Monday morning that Russian forces had once again deployed missile carriers to sea, maintaining a high risk of missile strikes, particularly in the Odesa region.

As of 06:00, two Russian ships equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles were operating in the Black Sea. Together, they can launch up to 12 missiles.

Three additional Russian warships are currently in the Mediterranean Sea, including one Kalibr-equipped vessel capable of firing up to 8 missiles.

The presence of these missile systems significantly raises the threat level, enabling Russia to strike from long distances.