BBC - News Briefing 2 June, 2026 - Alex Binley - A Russian missile and drone attack across Ukraine marks one of the largest assaults in recent months.

 

2 June, 2026   Alex Binley Hello. A Russian missile and drone attack across  Ukraine marks one of the largest assaults in recent  months. What do maps and charts show us about the  looming El Niño? And, Italians are bemused about the  bull mosaic that has had work done on its private parts.   TOP OF THE AGENDA Ukraine rescuers pull dead from rubble after Russian strikes kill 18 people Zelensky said more than 100 people were injured. Credit: Reuters Ukraine has been hit by a huge wave of Russian drone  and missile strikes overnight, killing at least 18 people.  Children were amongst the dead and injured after  civilian infrastructure, including an apartment block,  was hit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said  Russia had launched 656 strike drones and 73 missiles  in the attack. He renewed his plea to the US to supply  missiles for Patriot air defence systems, which have  been in short supply, exacerbated by the US and Israeli  war against Iran. Russia's defence ministry said its  "strike objectives" had been achieved. Last week,  Moscow vowed retaliation after accusing Kyiv of a  deadly attack on a student dormitory in an occupied  part of eastern Ukraine. Read more 2 June, 2026

Alex Binley Hello. A Russian missile and drone attack across  Ukraine marks one of the largest assaults in recent  months. What do maps and charts show us about the  looming El Niño? And, Italians are bemused about the  bull mosaic that has had work done on its private parts.

TOP OF THE AGENDA Ukraine rescuers pull dead from rubble after Russian strikes kill 18 people Zelensky said more than 100 people were injured. Credit: Reuters Ukraine has been hit by a huge wave of Russian drone  and missile strikes overnight, killing at least 18 people.  Children were amongst the dead and injured after  civilian infrastructure, including an apartment block,  was hit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said  Russia had launched 656 strike drones and 73 missiles  in the attack. He renewed his plea to the US to supply  missiles for Patriot air defence systems, which have  been in short supply, exacerbated by the US and Israeli  war against Iran. Russia's defence ministry said its  "strike objectives" had been achieved. Last week,  Moscow vowed retaliation after accusing Kyiv of a  deadly attack on a student dormitory in an occupied  part of eastern Ukraine. Read more