SBU names Gerasimov suspect over Russia’s largest July 2 attack on Kyiv

Ukrainian authorities have officially charged Army General Valery Gerasimov, a high-ranking Russian military official and defense minister, as an absent suspect in connection with Russia's largest assault on Kyiv on July 2, 2026. The Prosecutor General's Office and the SBU Security Service identified Gerasimov as a suspect in war crimes, specifically targeting civilian facilities, since the initiation of the ongoing conflict.

On July 2, Russian forces launched nearly 570 weapons, including attack drones and hypersonic and ballistic missiles such as Zircon and Iskander-M, against Kyiv. Gerasimov is alleged to have personally commanded the largest attack during the night of July 1 to July 2. The International Criminal Court in The Hague had previously issued an arrest warrant for Gerasimov in June 2024, accusing him of war crimes against Ukraine's civilian population.

Although Gerasimov is currently in Russia, Ukrainian authorities are actively working towards apprehending him. Under the guidance of the Prosecutor General's Office, investigators from the SBU's Main Investigation Department conducted the investigation. During the attack, air defenses managed to intercept and neutralize 476 drones and 48 missiles.

Over 40 districts within Kyiv experienced damage, with significant fires resulting in significant destruction. Buildings were hit in various locations, including the Darnytskyi district, which saw a high-rise apartment building collapse. The attack resulted in the death of 30 individuals and injuries to more than 90 people, including children. Among the fatalities were a 24-year-old Ukrainian defender and his sister from Konotop.