Russian drone attacks on Kyiv and the nearby region have continued into the fifth day, causing disruptions with air raid sirens blaring around the clock. Early on Monday, four individuals were injured, and warehouse facilities, an apartment block, and a retail outlet in the Kyiv region were damaged as reported by regional Gov. Tymur Tkachenko on Telegram.
The persistent drone assaults, many of which are powered by jet engines, have been a significant concern in Kyiv and its vicinity, leading to casualties, property destruction, and disruptions. One such strike on an ammunition depot resulted in explosions, claiming the lives of 38 people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that the ongoing drone attacks were aimed at wearing down the Ukrainian population. Over four days, Russia launched nearly 1,500 drones at Ukraine, with more than half being jet-powered, according to him.
Additionally, a Russian strike caused a fire at a terminal operated by Nova Poshta, a private courier service in the Odesa region. In Kryvyi Rih, a jet-powered drone attack on an industrial establishment left two individuals injured.
Both Ukraine and Russia have escalated attacks on economic targets in recent times. This includes Russia targeting warehouses of major Ukrainian supermarket chains, postal services, and home-goods stores, while Ukraine has also retaliated by targeting Russian infrastructure, such as a logistics hub in Yekaterinburg.
The intensified air attacks by Russia, taking advantage of Ukraine’s interceptor shortage against ballistic missiles, have led to disruptions in Kyiv, with daily routines being upended. The use of daytime drone waves has halted metro services, leaving passengers stranded on crowded platforms.
Among those affected is Yulianna Oliynyk, a 38-year-old nurse and psychologist, who found herself stranded on a metro platform with her two sons during an air raid alert while trying to reach a school before the academic year began. The ongoing alerts have disrupted their travel plans, forcing them to consider spending the night in the metro station.
The situation remains tense as the drone attacks persist, causing fear and uncertainty among the residents of Kyiv and its surrounding areas.