Russian strikes hit Kyiv region for fifth day as Ukraine battles jet-powered drones
KYIV, Ukraine — Russian forces battered Kyiv and the surrounding region for a fifth consecutive day on Monday, leaving some supermarket shelves bare after repeated strikes on warehouses and other infrastructure. The attacks, which included a heavy barrage of jet-powered drones, have severely disrupted daily life in the Ukrainian capital and its suburbs.
Regional military administration head Tymur Tkachenko said aerial attacks hit several warehouses in the Kyiv region on Monday, wounding four people. A pall of smoke hung over Kyiv as air raid alerts repeatedly forced residents into shelters. The constant alerts have disrupted daily routines, officials said.
The renewed assault comes after a period of intensified Russian aerial attacks in recent months. Two major strikes in July killed almost 50 civilians, and a strike on Saturday killed at least 38 people, according to Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Sunday that "Right now, Russia's tactic is to wear down Ukraine and Ukrainians — first and foremost, our people." He also conceded that Ukraine is struggling to counter Russia's growing use of jet-powered drones, which are faster and harder to shoot down than the slower propeller-driven models used earlier in the war.
Between Thursday and Sunday, Russia fired almost 1,500 drones at Ukraine, and around 800 of them were jet-powered, Zelenskyy said. He said four Ukrainian companies have developed interceptor drones, with one company's technology proving most successful, though he provided no further details.
Zelenskyy also said he had "a good call" on Monday with US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, describing it as "detailed and constructive," as diplomatic efforts led by Washington remain stalled.
Disruption and resilience in Kyiv region
Repeated strikes on food distribution centers and retail hubs have left some supermarket shelves bare, while almost constant air raid alerts have severely disrupted daily routines. In Brovary and the surrounding region, aerial attacks hit several warehouses and wounded four people, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the regional military administration.
A pall of smoke hung over Kyiv on Monday morning, underscoring the intensity of the five-day barrage. Two major attacks in July killed almost 50 civilians, and a strike on Saturday killed at least 38 people.
Zelenskyy adviser Serhii Beskrestnov sought to reassure the public on social media, saying Ukraine would not go hungry and urging people not to give in to rumors or panic. He said European countries would be ready to help cover any food supply shortfall if necessary.
Zelenskyy: Russia aims to 'wear down' Ukraine
In a late-Sunday address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: "Right now, Russia's tactic is to wear down Ukraine and Ukrainians — first and foremost, our people." He conceded that Ukraine is struggling to counter the jet-powered drones Russia has been deploying in increasing numbers.
Between Thursday and Sunday, Russia fired almost 1,500 drones at Ukraine, around 800 of them jet-powered, Zelenskyy said. He noted that four companies have developed interceptor drones, and one company has the most successful technology. He also said he had "a good call" on Monday with US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, describing it as "detailed and constructive."
Overnight, a massive drone attack struck Ukraine's northern Chernihiv region, damaging an energy facility, according to regional head Viacheslav Chaus. Earlier, Russia's Defense Ministry said it was preparing strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
The repeated strikes have left supermarket shelves bare in some areas, prompting Zelenskyy adviser Serhii Beskrestnov to say on Monday that Ukraine will not go hungry)Skip. Beskrestnov said European countries would be ready to help cover any food supply shortfall if needed.
The attacks have taken a heavy toll in recent weeks. Two major strikes in July killed almost 50 civilians, and a strike on Saturday killed at least 38 people. Ukraine's Education Ministry said about 1 million textbooks have been destroyed in attacks on publishing houses, adding to concerns as schools prepare to resume classes.
On the Russian side, the Defense Ministry said it shot down 239 Ukrainian drones overnight, including over occupied Crimea and the Black Sea. Regional officials reported casualties from Ukrainian strikes: three people were killed in Belgorod, and the governor of the Sverdlovsk region said a drone attack wounded people in Yekaterinburg, about 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) from the front lines.
Zelenskyy said late Sunday that "Right now, Russia's tactic is to wear down Ukraine and Ukrainians — first and foremost, our people." He acknowledged the difficulty of countering jet-powered drones, noting that between Thursday and Sunday, Russia fired almost 1,500 drones at Ukraine, around 800 of them jet-powered. He said four companies have developed interceptor drones, with one showing the most success.
On Monday, Zelenskyy said he had a "good call" with US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, describing it as "detailed and constructive."
Ukraine's Education Ministry said about 1 million textbooks were destroyed in attacks on publishing houses. The Russian Defense Ministry said it was preparing "massive strikes" on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, while Ukrainian officials reported a large overnight drone attack on the northern Chernihiv region that damaged an energy facility. In Russia, a Ukrainian attack on the border city of Belgorod killed three people, according to regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov.