World📡 Deutsche WelleJul 29, 2026👁 0 views

Explosions reported in Kyiv after Zelenskyy warns of Russian strikes

Explosions in Kyiv after Zelenskyy warns of Russian strikes

Dmytro Hubenko with AFP, Reuters07/30/2026July 30, 2026

Ukraine's Zelenskyy had warned that Russia had "prepared a massive attack," citing air force reports.

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Zelenskyy had warned that Russia was preparing a 'massive attack' that could hit the country overnight [FILE: Jul 19, 2026]Image: Gleb Garanich/REUTERS
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Explosions were reported over the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia might conduct a "massive attack."

Both the Reuters and AFP news agency cited people on the ground as saying they heard explosions.

Russia has struck Kyiv with ballistic missiles, said the city's mayor, Vitaly Klitschko, urging people to seek shelter. He added that a few non-residential sites in Kyiv caught fire.

What did Zelenskyy say ahead of the Kyiv explosions?

It comes as Zelenskyy had warned of a "high probability that the strike will be carried out tonight."

"I received a report from Air Force Commander Anatolii Kryvonozhko. The Russians prepared a massive attack several days ago," Zelenskyy said on X.

The Ukrainian president stressed that Ukrainians' safety depended on the willingness of Kyiv's allies to provide anti-missile defenses. His statements came on the heels of a trip to the US where he said President Donald Trump had agreed to give Ukraine licenses for Patriot missiles.

Edited by: Rana Taha

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