Key facts
- Russia has increased the intensity and frequency of missile attacks on Kyiv.
- Ballistic missiles are now used more frequently, offering little warning time.
- Air-raid alerts in Kyiv are at their highest frequency since the start of the full-scale invasion.
- Some residents are leaving Kyiv due to the renewed intensity of attacks.
- Disruptions to public transport and businesses occur during air raid alerts.
Russia's missile tactics against Kyiv have evolved, leading to increased air raid alerts and reduced warning times for residents, according to a BBC News report. Previously, residents like Daria, a 27-year-old working in the defense sector, felt relatively safe, relying on the 'two-wall rule' even during heavy bombardments. However, the recent escalation, particularly the use of fast-moving ballistic missiles, has changed this dynamic.
In the first 10 days of July alone, Russia launched dozens of ballistic missiles in three major attacks, resulting in nearly 60 civilian deaths. Similar large-scale attacks occurred in August and September. Analysis by BBC Verify indicates that Kyiv is now experiencing more daily air raid alerts than at any point since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. This increased frequency and reduced warning time, sometimes as little as four minutes, has made residents like Daria feel unsafe, prompting her to leave the city and commute four hours daily from her family's country house.
For many, leaving is not an option. Olha Vlasova, 62, lives with her 98-year-old mother, Nadia Tsybina, who closely follows world events. Nadia notes a decrease in intercepted missiles this summer, expressing concern about Ukraine's air defense capabilities. Unable to reach shelters due to Nadia's age and confinement to bed, Olha has resorted to placing mattresses by the window and hiding in a wardrobe with her mother during attacks. The constant interruptions have led to sleep deprivation, with residents describing themselves as walking 'zombies'.
Daytime attacks have also increased, disrupting daily life, businesses, and transport. Shopping centers close, and above-ground metro stations suspend operations, often severing connections between the city's Left and Right Banks for hours. Olha Vlasova notes the difficulty and expense of crossing the city when public transport is halted, costing up to 1,000 hryvnias ($22) for a cab. She expresses frustration with perceived hesitation from Ukraine's foreign partners in providing additional air-defense missiles, urging them to act before the equipment expires.
Natalia Bushkovska, another Kyiv resident, has developed three emergency plans for nightly attacks, including preparing a backpack with essential items and a tourniquet. Her children have also been trained in first aid, including the use of tourniquets. The constant barrage is described as exhausting, with children often sleeping through the attacks while adults struggle to rest.