**Waves of Drone Attacks Overwhelm Kyiv and Other Ukrainian Cities**
The people of Ukraine have faced unimaginable hardships over the past three and a half years, but recent months have brought a new wave of terror. Coordinated attacks involving hundreds of drones and missiles have been targeting cities across the country, leaving civilians shaken and eroding morale.
Last night, it was Kyiv’s turn to face the brunt of these attacks. The city has been hit multiple times in recent weeks, with Lutsk in the far west also experiencing a similar bombardment. The once-familiar sound of Shahed drones now sends hardened civilians scurrying for shelter, reminiscent of the early days of the war.
“I’ve never felt so scared,” said Katya, a Kyiv resident who took shelter in her bathroom during last night’s attack. “The house shook like it was made of paper.” Svitlana, another resident, described seeing fires across the river and being forced to seek refuge in an underground car park for the first time since the early days of the war.
These attacks don’t always result in human casualties, but they are taking a toll on civilians. In June, 232 people were killed and over 1,300 injured, according to the UN’s Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU). Many of these victims were innocent civilians far from the front lines, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of these attacks.
“The surge in long-range missile and drone strikes across the country has brought even more death and destruction to civilians far away from the frontline,” said Danielle Bell, head of HRMMU. “We’re seeing a significant increase in civilian casualties, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Ukraine to cope with these numbers.”
The Shahed drones have become more sophisticated, capable of flying higher and carrying heavier payloads. Local experts tracking drone movements report swirling masses of these aircraft, often taking circuitous routes across the country before homing in on their targets.
Many of these drones are decoys, designed to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses, while others carry the deadliest payloads. Tracking maps show straight lines indicating ballistic or cruise missiles, which, although fewer in number, have the potential to cause massive destruction.
The Institute for the Study of War has analyzed data showing an increase in Russia’s drone and missile strikes since Donald Trump’s inauguration in January. March saw a slight decline, but May saw a dramatic spike, with new records set regularly. June witnessed a record 5,429 drones, and July has seen over 2,000 in just the first nine days.
Experts in Kyiv warn that Ukraine is on the verge of being overwhelmed if it doesn’t find a solution to deal with these drones. Former intelligence officer Ivan Stupak fears for the country’s future, stating that “if Ukraine doesn’t find a solution, we will face great problems during 2025.”
The situation highlights the vast gulf in resources between Russia and Ukraine. As Serhii Kuzan of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre noted, “this is a war of resources.” By concentrating on drone production and developing new modifications, Russia has managed to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses.
**Ukraine Seeks Help from Allies**
President Zelensky has repeatedly appealed to allies for help in protecting Ukrainian skies. The British government recently announced a defense agreement with Ukraine to provide over 5,000 air defense missiles. Kyiv will be looking for many more such deals in the coming months as it struggles to cope with these coordinated attacks.
**Conclusion**
The people of Ukraine have faced unimaginable hardships over the past three and a half years. Recent waves of drone attacks have left civilians shaken and morale eroded. The situation highlights the vast gulf in resources between Russia and Ukraine, leaving experts fearing for the country’s future. As Kyiv seeks help from allies to protect its skies, it remains uncertain whether these measures will be enough to stem the tide of terror.
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