Kyiv sweltered in 34 degrees Celsius on Monday (June 29), as residents sought relief in fountains and parks across the city.

People filled bottles at public water points, while children and couples cooled off in splashing fountains under the summer sun.

A 75‑year‑old pensioner said the heat was less severe than in parts of Europe hit by more extreme conditions, though many still struggled in warm apartments.

Monday's 34 degrees Celsius marked the peak of the current heat spell in Kyiv, according to weather forecasters, with temperatures on surrounding days remaining lower.

Across Europe, a record-breaking heatwave has pushed temperatures to extreme highs, such as 39 degrees celsius in Serbia. It has triggered wildfires, and strained infrastructure, with some countries facing even harsher conditions and rising death tolls.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

KYIV, UKRAINE (JUNE 29, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. YOUNG COUPLE PLAYING AT WATER FOUNTAIN

2. VARIOUS OF WOMAN FILLING BOTTLE WITH WATER IN PARK

3. YOUNG WOMAN WALKING PAST FOUNTAIN

4. VARIOUS OF PENSIONER, LYUDMYLA (NO SURNAME GIVEN), 75 YEARS OLD, CARRYING WATER BOTTLE

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) PENSIONER, LYUDMYLA (NO SURNAME GIVEN), 75 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"In comparison to Europe, we don't have it as bad. They have a real dome of heat there, while we have it a bit easier after all."

7. VARIOUS OF PIDGEONS AT FOUNTAIN

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) PENSIONER, LYUDMYLA (NO SURNAME GIVEN), 75 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"I have a dacha thank God. On the ground floor I have 23 to 24 degrees celsius (73-75 fahrenheit), I am better off than others. Still, i understand that other people have it bad, because they have 27 to 28 degrees celsius (80-82 fahrenheit) in their flats in the morning. That's though."

9. MOTHER AND CHILD IN PLAYGROUND WITH COVERED HEADS TO PROTECT FROM SUN

10. PEOPLE TAKING PICTURES AT FOUNTAIN

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) RESIDENTIAL BUILDING MANAGER, HALYNA (NO SURNAME GIVEN) 45 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"As you can see, it's not that hot after all. We went for a walk in the park and had our favourite pancakes. I guess we’re pretty heat‑resistant."

12. PEOPLE WALKING PAST FOUNTAIN

13. YOUNG WOMAN DRINKING WATER WALKING IN PARK

14. YOUNG WOMAN EATING ICE CREAM ON BENCH

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) RESIDENTIAL BUILDING MANAGER, HALYNA (NO SURNAME GIVEN) 45 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"If it becomes unbearable, the only option is to stay at home with the air conditioning — if there's electricity, of course. Otherwise, we might leave the city and go to my parents', where we can swim in the lake, maybe over the weekend."

16. BOY DRINKING WATER FROM WATER PUMP

17. VARIOUS OF CHILDREN PLAYING IN FOUNTAIN

18. FOUNTAIN, YOUNG WOMAN SITTING ON BENCH