Russia Launches Largest Ballistic Missile Attack on Ukraine Since War Began

Russian forces conducted a sustained aerial attack on Ukrainian cities that began late on June 1 and continued into the morning of June 2. The barrage included 656 drones and 73 missiles, among them more than 30 ballistic missiles, according to Ukrainian Air Force officials.

The attack focused on Kyiv and Dnipro and left more than 100 civilians dead or wounded. It was the latest in a series of overnight raids that began in early May.

Ukraine has developed defenses against drones and cruise missiles but relies on U.S.-made Patriot systems to intercept ballistic missiles. Ukrainian officials report that stocks of the required interceptor missiles are low. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent a written appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump requesting additional Patriot interceptors.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States would “find a way” to help.

Russian ground forces have made no major advances in the first five months of 2026 and may have lost ground in May. Ukrainian drone defenses now extend more than ten kilometers beyond the front lines, limiting large-scale Russian offensive operations.

Ukrainian officials claim Russian monthly casualties have exceeded 30,000 since late 2025. British spy chief Anne Keast-Butler reported in late May that nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the start of the full-scale invasion. Ukraine has also conducted drone strikes on Russian logistics and long-range attacks on military and industrial sites more than 1,000 kilometers inside Russia.

In May, Russia scaled back its Victory Day parade in Moscow. Putin remains in control of Russia and faces no immediate domestic challenges, the Atlantic Council reported. The article states he is expected to continue the campaign rather than seek a negotiated settlement based on current front lines.