Russian strikes on Kyiv highest since March 2022

In the first 18 days of September, the Kyiv region in Ukraine was struck 118 times by Russian forces, marking the highest level of attacks since March 2022, according to an AFP analysis of data from the ACLED conflict monitor. This surge in strikes, which has intensified since July, has now surpassed the total number of attacks recorded in all of March 2022, despite the month not yet concluding.

The majority of the attacks, predominantly carried out by drones, have targeted warehouses, businesses, and petrol stations. The situation has worsened this year, with 2026 already witnessing the most strikes on the Kyiv region since the war commenced in February 2022.

Drones have been the primary weapon in recent attacks, although there has been an increase in missile strikes since July and August. The recent barrages have been notably executed using jet-powered drones, a development that has posed a significant challenge for Ukraine due to a shortage of effective countermeasures. Russia's aggression is not confined to the Kyiv region alone; it has escalated across the country, reaching new heights since May.

In August alone, Russia launched a record-breaking 5,500 strikes, as per the ACLED figures. The conflict has reached a critical stage with both Moscow and Kyiv intensifying their long-range attacks on one another. Moreover, Russia has been increasingly targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure in preparation for the impending winter season.