Air raid alerts have disrupted commutes, closed stores, delayed school preparations and sent families back into shelters. After more than four years of war, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine in recent days, using more jet-powered drones, which fly faster and are harder to intercept.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched nearly 1,500 drones at Ukraine over four days, including 800 hundred jet-powered models.
The attacks have created a new daily rhythm in the capital.
A city forced to pause
Reuters reported that metro trains stopped crossing the Dnipro River in Kyiv during alerts Monday, leaving passengers waiting on crowded platforms. One mother trying to reach a school with her two sons said the family had already spent the previous night with relatives after air raid warnings disrupted their trip home.
Shopping has also become unpredictable. At one Kyiv mall, employees waited in a parking garage or outside in groups as shops repeatedly opened and closed with each new alarm, according to The New York Times.
For older residents, even basic errands now depend on the sirens. One 72-year-old Kyiv resident told the Times she now times basic errands around the alarms, heading out during a lull only to find the warning sounding again after she returns.
Faster drones, fewer safe moments
Russia has long used drones against Kyiv, but the growing use of faster jet-powered versions has made the threat feel different.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is struggling to counter them. Combat aircraft are being used against the faster drones while Ukrainian companies work on interceptor systems.
The strikes have damaged more than homes. Warehouses, food distribution operations, delivery facilities and retail sites have also been hit.
The disruption is beginning to reach grocery aisles. The Associated Press reported gaps on some supermarket shelves after strikes damaged parts of Ukraine’s food and retail network, prompting concern about whether supplies could keep moving.
A Zelenskyy adviser urged Ukrainians not to panic, saying companies are adjusting supply routes and European countries could help cover any shortfalls.
Schools, shelters and morale
The timing adds another layer of strain. Ukrainian schools are set to resume Tuesday, but repeated alerts have left some parents unsure whether normal classes are possible.
Schools have shelters and can shift classes online, but they face other challenges. Ukraine’s Education Ministry said Russian attacks on publishing houses destroyed about 1 million textbooks, which could delay deliveries. “Right now, Russia’s tactic is to wear down Ukraine and Ukrainians — first and foremost, our people,” Zelenskyy said Sunday.
Winter fears build
The drone waves are also part of a broader Russian campaign against Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure.
The AP reported that Russia has continued targeting Ukraine’s power grid as winter approaches. The Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday it was preparing “massive strikes” on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
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