Kiev was shaken by a rare daytime missile attack from Russia on July 24, 2023, which began around noon. Explosions were reported in and around the Ukrainian capital at approximately 11:30 AM as Russian missiles flew overhead. Smoke rose from various locations in Kiev as Ukrainian air defense systems engaged the incoming missiles, while the Ukrainian Air Force warned that more missiles were still being launched from the north.

According to local media, the missiles used in the attack were likely from the S-300, S-400, or Iskander systems. Some reports indicated that cruise missiles, including the 3M22 Tsirkon, were also launched from the Kursk region of Russia. By midday, Kiev's Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that rescue teams had been dispatched to a site in the Svyatoshynsky district, although reports suggested that the bombardment had concluded.

Daytime airstrikes by Russia are uncommon, with most attacks occurring at night. When they do happen during the day, they typically take place in the late afternoon rather than the morning. July has seen a notably high number of Russian ballistic missiles fired into Ukraine, with 107 ballistic missiles and 20 Zircon missiles launched in the first 19 days alone. Military news outlet Militarnyi noted that this figure exceeds Russia's monthly production capacity.

In a related development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow prioritizes a political and diplomatic solution to the Ukraine conflict, but this depends on the goodwill of Ukraine and the West. Speaking on July 24, Lavrov emphasized that Russia remains committed to resolving the Ukraine conflict through dialogue. However, he pointed out that Moscow's actions are limited if the U.S. shares the views of European leaders and Ukraine that the agreements from the Anchorage summit have been buried.

Lavrov reiterated that U.S. support for France's President Emmanuel Macron's statement about the lack of understanding and agreements is concerning. He remarked, 'If these are the assessments shared by the U.S., what can we do? Of course, we have repeatedly stated that we prioritize a political and diplomatic solution, but we will achieve our goals in any circumstances.'

Lavrov also indicated that the U.S. has clearly changed its approach to the understanding reached at the Alaska summit, but Russia is ready to implement those agreements. The Anchorage summit, which took place in August of the previous year between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, marked the first high-level direct contact between Moscow and Washington in years since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict.

Following discussions with Lavrov, U.S. officials have suggested that new ideas will be necessary to reach a peace agreement to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that the U.S. has plans to help end the war and that he would visit the U.S. the following week to discuss these ideas further.