Kyiv strike kills at least 30 as Russia’s attack draws UN ceasefire appeal

Russia’s July 2 drone-and-missile strike on Kyiv killed at least 30 people and damaged about 130 buildings, according to Reuters’ updated count. AP’s initial report and a same-day address from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy both put the death toll at 21 before rescue work pushed the number higher.

The attack hit apartments, other residential buildings, and civilian businesses across the capital. Zelenskyy said rescue teams were searching through rubble, more than 100 residential buildings had been damaged, and nearly 100 people had sought medical help. Reuters later said the injured included children, paramedics, and ambulance workers.

UN response: urgent ceasefire call

The UN response was a condemnation and a fresh call for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, not any new peace deal. UN officials said the attack was one of the largest on Kyiv since the war escalated and warned that strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop.

For readers following the war, the key point is that casualty figures in major strikes can rise quickly as rescuers reach damaged sites. Here, the toll moved from 21 to 30 within a day, showing how much of the human cost is still being counted after the attack.

Key sources

• Associated Press — Kyiv missile and drone attack report
• UN Web TV — Ukraine statement / ceasefire appeal
• Office of the President of Ukraine — response to the Kyiv attack
• Reuters — updated casualty tally for the Kyiv strike