Ekhbary News Agency
Kyiv — Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine, deploying new, faster jet-powered drones to "wear down" the country and its population, according to Ukrainian President Volodímir Zelenski. These advanced versions of Iranian Shahed drones, developed by Russia, are significantly quicker than previous models, complicating interception efforts. The intensified bombardments, particularly around Kyiv, have resulted in over fifty fatalities in the past six consecutive days, including twelve on Tuesday, alongside dozens of injuries.
Escalating Aerial Assaults
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat reported that Russia launched nearly 1,500 drones against Ukraine in just four days, with over half being jet-powered. This figure rises to 2,800 drones for August alone. The new capabilities of these UAVs mean their interception rate stands at approximately 60%, a notable decrease compared to the nearly 90% success rate against conventional drones. Russia has markedly increased its deployment of these sophisticated weapons since July, using five times more jet-powered UAVs in July than in June. The sustained deployment of these faster, harder-to-intercept drones represents a significant shift in Russia's aerial tactics, aiming to exhaust Ukraine's defenses and civilian resilience.
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Daily Life Disrupted
The relentless drone swarms, many equipped with jet engines, have subjected Kyiv residents to constant air raid alerts, bringing economic activity to a standstill. Attacks, occurring day and night, target homes, warehouses, postal offices, and supermarkets. A particularly deadly strike on an ammunition depot in Myla last Friday caused multiple explosions and killed 38 people. Beyond the immediate danger, the prolonged alerts force businesses to close and disrupt public transport, especially the metro's Dnieper River crossing, creating widespread chaos. Nurse and psychologist Ulianna Olynnyk recounted waiting an hour with her children for the metro, remarking, "It's clear that perhaps we should carry sleeping bags and sleep in the subway." Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky lamented that these alerts affect not only safety but also business operations, logistics, and schools.
