Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1651: Russia’s sixth day of attacks on Kyiv ends with massive ballistic missile strike on eve of school year
Three children were among the injured in Kyiv, and Russian air attacks interrupted lessons on the first day of school across Ukraine.
This is day 1651 of the Russo-Ukrainian war, marking the sixth consecutive day of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. The conflict took a dramatic turn as Russia launched a massive ballistic missile strike just before the start of the school year, resulting in injuries to three children. The relentless drone attacks have damaged civilian infrastructure across five out of Kyiv's ten districts.
Ukraine's efforts to counter Russian strikes have been hampered by the fact that their missile defense systems are unable to intercept the faster jet-powered Russian drones. These drones threaten to not only weaken Ukraine's cheap missile defense layer but also escalate the war into a contest of reaction time. The Russian military has continued striking Ukraine's energy system, leaving winter resilience plans incomplete.
Ukraine's response includes forming a new drone brigade, the 446th Unmanned Systems Brigade, to bolster its defenses against the rapid advances in drone technology. Meanwhile, Russia continues its aggressive campaign, with a particular focus on controlling Ukraine's ports. The Ukrainian military has reported the isolation of a 2,500-strong Russian group and the destruction of all its artillery.
Ukraine's defense chief, Mykhailo Fedorov, has launched a defense technology company with backing from Palantir CEO, capitalizing on Ukraine's battlefield experience to develop new military systems. Despite Russia's promises of a scramjet superweapon, Ukrainian intelligence places its Zircon missile's top speed at Mach 6.8, slower than Moscow's claimed Mach 9. Ukrainian company BlueBird is offering a drone that can detect, read, and jam FPV drones at a price of $150 for the airframe and $875 for the finished glider.
International responses to the war have intensified, with Germany closing its consulate and cultural center in Leipzig due to a drone attack, and tightening entry controls for Russian nationals. The German government is also considering sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine and warning Moscow about potential sanctions if further sabotage occurs in Germany.
The US has welcomed Russia back into the G20, but economic relief is tied to the end of the war, a stance resisted by European officials. Meanwhile, Armenia has dropped Russia's "strategic partner" label but maintains its alliance with Moscow. Latvia has banned books, clothes, and toys from Russia, and a Lithuanian defense company reported Russian intimidation.
The US has built its own drone-war simulation exercise in Poland, as NATO remains cautious about the widening shadow war on Europe.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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