Russia striking Kyiv with ballistic missiles after Zelensky warned of ‘massive attack’

Russia launched a wave of ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, including Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih, during the early hours of Thursday, July 30, 2026. This assault, which included both ballistic missiles and drones, followed an urgent warning from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the previous day about an impending "massive attack" that Russia had reportedly been preparing for some time.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed explosions in the capital and reported fires at several non-residential locations, urging residents to take shelter. Falling debris from intercepted missiles also caused damage in some districts. Tragically, at least one person was killed in Kyiv, with residential areas in Kryvyi Rih also reportedly suffering casualties.

These attacks occurred shortly after President Zelenskyy's return from the United States, where he emphasized Ukraine's critical need for advanced air defense systems. He highlighted that the safety of Ukrainian citizens heavily relies on the provision of such defensive capabilities by allies.