Russia’s jet-powered drones mark a deadly evolution in Ukraine war

From 30 September to 1 October, Russia carried out a series of drone strikes in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, targeting a school, a café, and various warehouse buildings, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko and emergency services. The children inside the school were safely in their shelter and emerged unharmed. Fires erupted in two districts, and one individual suffered injuries, bringing the total number of casualties to one.

In the wake of the attacks, schools across Ukraine have become makeshift bomb shelters as Russian drones, missiles, and glide bombs continue to strike schools, homes, and hospitals located far from the frontlines. The United Nations claims that the civilian toll has surpassed the fatalities recorded in all of 2022.

A school in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district was hit by a Russian drone on the morning of 1 October, causing a fire and damaging the building's facade on the third floor. However, no one was injured, as the children were already in their designated shelter. A café situated on the ground floor of a residential building in Solomianskyi was also struck, leading to a fire and the injury of one person, who was promptly treated by medical personnel.

Additionally, warehouse buildings in the northern Obolonskyi district sustained damage from the attacks.

Across the Kyiv Oblast, Russian strikes inflicted damage on 42 sites, resulting in the injury of six individuals. The relentless air assaults on Kyiv have escalated, with the city being targeted daily by Russian drone attacks. On 28 September, Russian drones struck the city center during daylight hours, including the National Academy of Sciences, and prior attacks had targeted filling stations and other everyday locations.

The escalating civilian toll and the Ukrainian government's efforts to stockpile food and water in preparation for a brutal winter underscore the severity of the ongoing conflict.