Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro hit in coordinated attack on Ukraine
Photo: blasts reported across multiple cities (facebook.com/DSNS.GOV.UA)
On the night of February 3, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine using drones and ballistic missiles, targeting Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro.
RBC-Ukraine reports everything known so far.
Key points:
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Russia launched multiple groups of drones.
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Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro were targeted by drones and ballistic missiles.
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Explosions were reported in Sumy, and in Konotop a school, private homes, and infrastructure facilities were damaged.
Weapons used by Russia
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, since the evening of February 2, Russia has launched groups of drones across Ukraine. Drones were recorded in at least Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Poltava, Odesa, and Donetsk regions.
At the start of February 3, the attackers also launched ballistic missiles multiple times toward Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Dnipro.
After 01:50 AM Kyiv time, the military detected high-speed targets from Crimea heading toward Kyiv region. Monitoring reports indicate these were Zircon missiles.
According to monitoring channels, Russia launched a MiG-31K at 03:50 AM Kyiv time, but no Kinzhal missiles were fired, and there was no official confirmation of the MiG’s takeoff.
In the morning, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that at 05:00 AM Kyiv time a missile was detected over Chernihiv region heading toward Kyiv. Monitoring channels indicated that these were likely Kh-22/Kh-32 missiles launched from Tu-22M3 aircraft.
A few minutes later, the channels reported a possible launch of Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea, but this information was later unconfirmed.
By 05:30 AM Kyiv time, the Air Force recorded missile launches from Tu-95MS aircraft, and at 06:20 AM Kyiv time the missiles entered Ukrainian airspace over the Sumy region.
Explosions and early details
Kyiv
At 00:24 AM Kyiv time, an air raid alert was issued in the capital due to the threat of drone strikes. Within minutes, explosions and air defense activity were reported across the city, continuing for several hours.
By 01:10 AM Kyiv time, a series of loud explosions occurred in Kyiv as Russian ballistic missiles, launched from Bryansk, hit the city.
Updated at 01:41 AM Kyiv time
A new series of explosions was heard in the capital, again caused by ballistic missiles. Read more about the initial impact in Kyiv at this link.
Kharkiv
Russia began attacking Kharkiv late on February 2. Around 02:40 AM Kyiv time, a drone strike hit the city center. Starting at 00:30 AM Kyiv time, a series of explosions was reported as a combined attack of drones and ballistic missiles struck, including the Slobidskyi district, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Updated at 02:19 AM Kyiv time
In Kharkiv, repeated explosions were reported over the past hour amid renewed ballistic missile strikes. Local channels report that a total of up to 30 explosions were heard during the entire attack. Initial details on the consequences of the attack on Kharkiv are available in a separate RBC-Ukraine report.
Dnipro
The Ukrainian Air Force reported enemy drones flying toward Dnipro. Explosions were first heard around 00:10 AM Kyiv time. By 01:10 AM Kyiv time, repeated explosions were reported, coinciding with the threat of ballistic missiles.
Updated at 01:34 AM Kyiv time
In Dnipro, repeated explosions were reported, this time amid the threat of ballistic missiles. Later, further explosions occurred in the city in connection with reports of drones and ballistic strikes.
Sumy and region
Explosions were also heard in Sumy around 01:30 AM Kyiv time, though the cause remains unclear. Meanwhile, in Konotop, a Russian attack damaged a school, private homes, and infrastructure facilities.
Updated at 02:30 AM Kyiv time
Repeated explosions were reported in Sumy.
More details on the consequences in Sumy and Konotop are available in our report.
Energy truce ends
Last week, US President Donald Trump said he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for a one-week energy truce, during which Russia would refrain from striking Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. Putin reportedly agreed, and the truce was largely observed, at least with regard to energy facilities.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that over the past day, Russia had attacked energy infrastructure in frontline and border areas, but noted that there were no deliberate large-scale strikes on energy. The night attack, however, suggests that the energy truce has now ended.
