Kyiv faced a barrage of ballistic missiles shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered diplomats to leave the city. On June 2, thick smoke enveloped the Ukrainian capital, prompting residents to seek refuge underground. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that an apartment block caught fire due to debris from a nearby building. Some locals were trapped under rubble, with uncertainty about casualties.
Residents sought shelter in subway stations equipped with sleeping bags as the situation escalated. Klitschko reported fires in various locations, including near a kindergarten. The country’s Air Force alerted citizens about incoming missiles, urging them to take cover. Russia launched attacks on Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia following missile strikes from the Caspian Sea towards Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned of a potential massive Russian strike. Intelligence suggested ongoing Russian threats, with defenders on high alert. Russia’s prior advice for foreign nationals to leave quickly, coupled with warnings to avoid specific areas, indicated escalating tensions. The missile strikes were seen as retaliation for a recent drone attack in Luhansk, a region occupied by Russia. Contrary to Russia’s claims, Ukraine denied responsibility for the alleged deaths caused by the drone strike.