Overview

• In recent weeks, the Russian military has launched nightly drone swarms of up to 700 unmanned aircraft alongside missile strikes on Kyiv.
• Ukrainian air defenses intercept the majority of incoming drones and missiles each night before they reach central districts.
• During daylight hours, the city functions like any European capital with crowded metros, busy cafes and commuters resuming normal routines.
• Night strikes focus on residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure in a bid to demoralize the population.
• Many residents report enduring fear and exhaustion, often using dark humor to cope with the constant threat.