Russia steps up drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, using jet-powered drones and daytime waves

Russia has changed how it attacks Kyiv, using jet-powered drones that are faster and harder to shoot down than conventional models. 1 2 Meduza reports that drones now arrive at night and in waves throughout the day, wearing down air defences and disrupting normal life in the city. 2 According to Meduza, the new tactics became apparent in late August, when Kyiv was under continuous attack for five days. 2

Meduza says daily strikes from 22 to 28 September killed 13 Kyiv residents and injured more than 160, and that Kyiv had civilian casualties on 16 of September's first 24 days, which it says had not happened before in the full-scale invasion. 2 On Wednesday 30 September, drone and missile strikes hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure, and AFP reported at least four deaths in and around Kyiv, including a young child found under rubble. 1 Russia's defence ministry said it had carried out "a massive missile and drone strike" on Kyiv and the surrounding region targeting power infrastructure. 1

Grid operator DTEK said supplies to 8,000 households were affected and later restored, and generating equipment at the Trypillia thermal power plant was damaged. 1 Kyiv described the attack as the opening of an expected winter campaign against heating and power, and Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky said such a large combined attack was the first since the last heating season. 1 AFP notes that peace talks have faltered and that concern is growing over civilian casualties on both sides. 1