Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight into Thursday, July 3, injuring at least 23 people and igniting fires across the city.
Helicopters were seen by Kyiv Post correspondent drawing water from local lakes to battle the blazes, while thick smoke hung over residential areas well into the morning.
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An air alert was declared in Kyiv at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, due to the threat of a drone attack. It lasted until 7:24 p.m., but at 8:00 p.m., the sirens sounded again.
Kyiv Post correspondents heard the work of mobile fire teams and the sounds of Shahed drones flying over residential areas in different districts of the city.
Early on Friday morning, July 4, starting at 2 a.m. and lasting until approximately 4 a.m., a series of powerful explosions rocked Kyiv. The capital was under a combined attack by Russian forces, involving both ballistic missiles and drones.
At 4:50 a.m., the alarm was lifted; however, at 5:06 a.m., another air raid alert was issued in Kyiv due to the renewed threat of Russian strike drones. It was canceled only at 8:43 a.m.
The Kyiv City State Administration (KMDA) reported on the consequences of the attack on Kyiv as of 4:10 a.m.
In the Dniprovskyi district, UAV debris fell in the courtyards of residential buildings and on the territory of an educational institution, without causing fire.
In Solomyanskyi, debris fell on non-residential buildings. On the territory of a garage cooperative, a fire broke out. Warehouses were also burning in this area, as well as an administrative building.
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The State Emergency Service (DSNS) later clarified that in the Solomyanskyi district, a 5-story building was partially destroyed. A fire broke out on the roof of a 7-story building, covering an area of 2,000 sq. m. Fires also broke out in a warehouse building, on the territory of a service station, and a garage cooperative. Much civilian infrastructure was damaged.
In the Svyatoshynskyi district, debris from a Russian UAV fell on the territory of warehouses, causing a fire. Debris also fell into the courtyard of a 16-story residential building - cars were burning. A fire broke out in the private sector as a result of falling debris.
According to the DSNS, a fire also broke out after a hit to a 14-story residential building in this area. Cars caught fire as well. Several fires in non-residential buildings are still being extinguished.
In the Darnytskyi district, debris fell in several places in an open area. No detonation or fire occurred.
In the Shevchenkivskyi district, debris damaged an 8-story residential building (put into operation but not yet occupied by residents). A fire occurred on the first floor of the building. There was also a fire in the private sector.
As of 8 a.m., Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported, citing medical data, that 23 people were known to have been injured in the attack, with 14 hospitalized. The others were provided with outpatient care or treated on the spot.
Later, Kyiv Mayor reported that a Russian combined strike damaged a medical emergency vehicle that was en route to assist injured civilians.
According to the mayor, at least five ambulances were damaged during the attack. These vehicles were either already working at the sites of the strikes or were on their way to areas hit in different parts of the capital.
“As a result of the enemy’s night attack on the capital, five ambulances that were heading to calls from injured residents of Kyiv were damaged,” Klitschko wrote.
He also shared a photo of one of the damaged ambulances, showing the extent of destruction caused by the Russian drone and missile assault.
Interior Minister Igor Klymenko reacted to the attack by writing: “Russia has once again staged a night of terror in Kyiv: shelling of civilians, civilian objects.”
He added that residential buildings, educational, medical, and transport infrastructure were damaged. Among the wounded is a 10-year-old girl.
“Emergency services - the DSNS, the police - have been working at the sites of the strikes since the first minutes. We are attracting the necessary forces and equipment to help people,” the minister wrote.
“The enemy wants to break us with terror. But we will stand our ground,” he added.
At almost 8 a.m., a Kyiv Post correspondent witnessed two helicopters, presumably from the DSNS, taking water from a lake to extinguish fires and heading to the impact sites, which were shrouded in thick smoke.
The shelling also damaged railway infrastructure in Kyiv, as Ukrzaliznytsia reported on its Telegram channel. Passenger trains heading west are taking a diverted route via Vyshneve and Darnytsia, resulting in delays of up to two hours.
Ukrzaliznytsia apologized for all the forced changes and reported that restoration work is already in full swing.
The Ukrainian Air Force has already reported that since 18:00 on July 3, the Russians have attacked Ukraine with 539 Shahed-type strike UAVs and decoy drones of various types, as well as:
- 1 Kh-47 M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile
- 6 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles
- 4 Iskander-K cruise missiles
The main direction of the strike was Kyiv.
“According to preliminary data, as of 08:00, air defenses have neutralized 478 enemy air attack vehicles - 270 were shot down by fire, and 208 were lost by location,” the report says.
In particular, 268 Russian Shahed-type UAVs (and other drones) were shot down by fire, and 208 were lost by location or suppressed by electronic warfare. Two Iskander-K cruise missiles were also shot down.
Hits were recorded in eight locations (nine missiles and 63 UAVs), and debris fell in 33 locations.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to the massive Russian barrage, posting on Telegram:
“This was one of the largest air strikes - demonstratively significant and cynical. A total of 550 targets were used, including at least 330 Shahed drones, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles.”
Zelensky said the air raid sirens across Ukraine began just as international media started discussing Putin’s call with Trump.
“Russia once again shows it has no intention of stopping its war or terror,” he said. “The alert in Kyiv wasn’t canceled until around 9 a.m. It was a harsh, sleepless night.”
He added that Ukraine’s interceptor drones were active during the strike and managed dozens of successful engagements.
In addition to Kyiv, the Dnipro, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions were affected by the assault. As of now, 23 people are confirmed injured, including from falling debris and direct strikes.
“All of this clearly shows that without truly large-scale pressure, Russia will not abandon its stupid, destructive behavior. For every blow it delivers to our people and way of life, there must be an equivalent response - through sanctions, hits to its economy, its profits, and its infrastructure,” Zelensky wrote.
“That’s the only way to quickly change the situation for the better. And it depends on our partners - above all, the US,” he added.
The news may be updated as new information becomes available.
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