A four-minute warning isn't enough: Russia's new relentless missile tactics exhaust Kyiv residents
Increasingly frequent and ferocious attacks on the Ukrainian capital have left many on edge.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, Daria, a 27-year-old woman living in Kyiv, has grown increasingly fearful of the relentless missile attacks. In recent months, the frequency and intensity of these assaults have reached unprecedented levels. A BBC Verify analysis found that Kyiv residents now experience more daily air raid alerts than at any point since the war began in 2022.
One night in May, Daria and her boyfriend were in the hallway of their ninth-floor apartment when a barrage of explosions shook the building. The blast waves caused the windows to repeatedly slam shut and open, leaving Daria with no distraction from the chaos. Realizing she no longer felt safe at home, she decided to leave Kyiv in June. Now, she commutes to and from her job in the defense sector, spending four hours a day traveling between her home and the city.
Ukrainians once relied on a two-wall rule to stay protected from shelling. However, Russia has shifted its tactics, relying more on ballistic missiles that provide little warning and travel at high speeds. As a result, residents in Kyiv now face air raid alerts that begin mere moments before impact, leaving them with only a few minutes to take cover.
Some, like Olha Vlasova, a 62-year-old woman living with her 98-year-old mother, have been confined to their beds due to age and can only take shelter when an alarm sounds. The constant sirens and explosions have left them feeling exhausted and unable to get proper rest.
The attacks have forced many residents to alter their daily routines. Schools and kindergartens have seen a decrease in attendance as parents keep their children at home due to the heightened risk of attacks. Businesses and public transport, such as the metro, have also been affected, leading to longer and more expensive commutes for those who still need to travel.
International partners have been slow to provide additional air-defense systems and interceptor missiles, leaving Ukraine's defense capabilities inadequate to cope with the barrage of missiles and drones. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called on allies to provide this support, but their hesitation has left many residents like Olha frustrated and desperate for a solution to the never-ending cycle of attacks.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
