Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London has said “our hearts are heavy but not broken” following a Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv carried out during the early hours of July 2, which killed at least 30 people.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said that among the places hit was an ambulance station and a high-rise block of flats, with reports stating that 91 people were injured.

Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Thursday that Russia would continue to increase pressure, with Ukraine accusing Moscow of targeting civilian areas.

In response to the attacks on Kyiv, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski said: “Our hearts are heavy but not broken following yet another massive and brutal aerial assault last night on Kyiv.

“As the Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, I join with people worldwide in mourning the tragic loss of innocent lives and pray for the recovery of people who suffered serious injuries, lost their homes, places of work and study.

“This cynical attack intentionally targeted civilian life, leaving hundreds of homes and critical infrastructure in ruins. Such deliberate destruction of neighbourhoods and communities is a profound violation of human dignity.

“We hold the suffering people of Ukraine close to Christ in our prayers, asking the Almighty to grant them strength and comfort during this terrifying hour.”

Despite US President Donald Trump saying today that a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia is ‘closer than people realise’ ahead of the NATO summit in Turkey, the attack is believed to have deployed the largest number of weapons on the Ukrainian capital.