Russian Strikes Kill at Least 12 Across Ukraine as Death Toll of Children Since 2022 Reaches 707

Jun 2, 2026

Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least 12 people, with a separate recent attack on Kyiv killing over 20. The attacks come as President Zelenskyy announced that at least 707 children have been killed since 2022. Amid renewed concerns over Ukraine's strained air defenses, the Kremlin has stated Zelenskyy is welcome to meet Putin in Moscow "any time" to discuss an end to the war.

Russian strikes across Ukraine

▪Russian missile and drone attacks on June 4, 2026, killed at least 12 people and injured dozens across Ukraine.
▪The June 4 attacks killed 5 people in Donetsk, 3 in Kharkiv, 2 in Sumy, 1 in Dnipropetrovsk, and 1 in Kherson.
▪The attacks followed a warning from Moscow that it would intensify pressure on Kyiv.
▪The strikes damaged civilian infrastructure, including homes, businesses, a medical institution, and an ambulance.
▪In the Donetsk region alone, 42 civilian objects were destroyed, including 16 residential buildings.
▪A separate Russian aerial assault on Kyiv on June 2, 2026, killed more than 20 people and injured hundreds.

Child casualties since 2022

▪Zelenskyy made the statement on the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.
▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated at least 707 children have been killed by Russia since the war began in February 2022.
▪According to Zelenskyy, thousands of children have also been wounded or abducted by Russia, with the fate of many unknown.

Zelenskyy-Putin meeting invitation

▪The Kremlin's statement was a response to Zelenskyy's call for a face-to-face meeting to end the war.
▪The Kremlin stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow "any time".
▪Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Putin had not yet been shown Zelenskyy's letter requesting the meeting.

Ukrainian attacks on occupied territory

▪In Russian-annexed Crimea, a Ukrainian drone attack on a commuter train killed one person and injured three.
▪A separate Ukrainian attack in Crimea's Simferopol city killed three people and injured seven in non-residential buildings.
▪A Ukrainian drone attack in Russian-occupied Luhansk killed a civilian driver in their vehicle.

Russian territorial gains

▪Russia's Defence Ministry claimed its forces took control of the village of Komsomolskoye in the Zaporizhia region.
▪The Russian Defence Ministry also claimed its assaults resulted in up to 430 casualties for the Ukrainian army.

Air defense strengthening

▪Putin's call to strengthen air defenses followed Ukrainian drone strikes on an oil complex and naval base in St Petersburg.
▪Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia must strengthen its air defenses.
▪The Russian bombardment has renewed concerns about Ukraine's ability to defend itself due to strained air defense missile supplies.