Reporter's Notebook: How constant drone attacks became a normal workday in Kyiv

On Wednesday, September 23, my usual morning of office research was interrupted by Russia's relentless drone and missile assaults. These attacks have become a daily occurrence since August, with new, faster jet-powered Shahed drones making them harder to stop. Unlike the usual nightly attacks, these waves now strike throughout the day, disrupting everything from morning commutes to evening walks.

Around 6 a.m., a loud explosion jolted me awake. A Russian jet-powered drone had hit somewhere in Kyiv, but thankfully, it was far from my home. I went back to sleep, unaware that the day would bring even more dangerous encounters.

Later that morning, my roommate Linda warned me of live attacks in our area. Panicking, I left my apartment, only to hear a nearby blast. As the reporter covering the area around Kyiv's central railway station, I was tasked with reporting on the impact site. Despite having other commitments, such as an appointment for a sick relative, I felt restless and decided to grab coffee to regain a sense of normalcy.

The local coffee shop, normally quiet, was unusually busy as everyone sheltered in place during yellow alerts. Despite the constant drone activity, people continued their routines, ordering takeout cups of coffee and espresso. I realized how unremarkable this scene had become in the face of constant drone attacks.

After the attack ended, I headed to the impact site, where I saw rescue workers battling a fire inside a historic market struck by Russian drones. I joined a video creator to document the attack for our social media coverage. That morning, Russian drone strikes killed two people and injured at least 45 others, causing significant damage to railway infrastructure, business centers, and residential buildings.