Kyiv residents as Russian drones “death” and missiles are increasingly flying at night

During the day, the Ukrainian capital buzzed – crowded metropolis, dog walkers and children on the playground. By night, Russia released drones and missile attacks, chasing most of the population underground for safety.

Officials say night attacks have intensified in the fourth year of a full-scale invasion, with drones sometimes exceeding 700.

Many in Kiev described the recent attack as the most terrifying attack of the war, and even residents who had previously ignored the sirens were driven to bomb shelters in the subway system.

Karyna Holf, 25, said: “During the day, you walk around, drink coffee, smile, make friends, chat, send warmth, chill.

A Russian attack on Thursday severely damaged her apartment. She was in the living room near the window when she heard the whistle of an incoming weapon. After a moment, the house turned into pieces. She is lucky to survive.

Full of fear

Continuous deaths often fuel dark humor. At night, many people are paralyzed from fear. But one day, they joked that they didn’t sleep naked just in case they ended up being under rubble and rescuers had to pull them out.

“It’s like a computer game where you try to survive and still stay strong,” said Danylo Kuzemskyi, 35, who describes the balance between daily life and war.

The buzz of the drone – often ending with explosions – the constant sensation of defense can last for hours. The noise has caused many people to be exhausted from sleep deprivation.

The drone blankets cover the vast area of the city, covered in darkness and were only pierced by air defense fires. The air was filled with the smell of smoke and gunpowder.

Threatened residential buildings

Kiev City Government Head Tymur Tkachenko said more than 800 locations in Kiev have been attacked since the beginning of this year, including more than 600 residential buildings.

“They deliberately attacked apartment buildings and urban areas,” he said. “It’s their strategy – spreading fear and increasing civilian casualties.”

Russia insists that this hits only military targets, although there are many examples throughout civilian infrastructure.

The attack also strengthened the unity of Kiev residents. On social media, people post with pride, they can still grab cappuccinos in the morning, do exercises or keep a date without canceling anything.

“I know that Russia’s terror is targeting not only military targets, but also the Ukrainian people as a whole. Russia is trying to depress our morale.” “Success? As far as I’m concerned, I’ll say no.”

He was one of those who stopped going to shelter during the attack, and he said he is now “prioritizing sleep” rather than safety.

For Oleksandra Umanets, 23, who has a 10-month-old son, the subway shelter is safer at night than her home.

At around 5 a.m. local time, she usually takes her children out of the shelter, goes home, lie down to sleep, and wakes up and sees her baby smiling.

“I saw the same kid running, playing – the moms were smiling,” she said. “You wouldn’t guess they were spending the night in the subway or not sleeping at all, even if everyone knew. But no one talked about it. Everyone was living all the time.”

Then it came to the evening. She packed a bag, placed it at the door, prepared the stroller, and laid out her clothes for herself and her baby. When the sirens were heard again, she was ready to hide.

“When it’s about you – that’s one thing. But, when it’s about your kids, what?” she said. “Just killing him because he was born in Ukraine? He didn’t choose a place to be born.”