Kyiv faced a heavy onslaught of ballistic missiles shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered diplomats to leave the city. Dense smoke clouds loomed over the Ukrainian capital on June 2, prompting residents to take shelter underground.
Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed a fire outbreak at an apartment building caused by debris from a nearby non-residential structure that had caught fire. Reports indicated individuals trapped under rubble near the building, although casualties remained uncertain.
In response to the attacks, residents sought refuge in subway stations equipped with sleeping bags and camping gear. Klitschko reported car fires in the Obolon district due to missile debris, along with fires in open areas, including one near a kindergarten.
The Ukrainian Air Force alerted citizens of incoming ballistic missiles, leading to a military call for Ukrainians to find shelter. Russia’s assaults extended to Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia following missile launches from the Caspian Sea towards Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had cautioned about a potential “massive” Russian strike. Intelligence warnings persisted, indicating the possibility of a significant attack, as Ukrainian defense forces remained on high alert.
Prior to the missile strikes, Russia had advised foreign nationals and diplomats to leave promptly, cautioning civilians to avoid government and military premises. The attacks were believed to be in retaliation for a drone strike in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Luhansk region, which Russia claimed resulted in 21 deaths—a claim Ukraine vehemently rejected.
