Russian drone assaults strain Ukraine as civilian resolve tested
Since September 1st, almost every night, the Russians have been attacking Ukraine with kamikaze drones. Their raids affected the entire country, and residents of Kyiv slept peacefully for only one night in over two months. Experts emphasize that such a scale of attacks contradicts reports of equipment shortages in the Russian army.
Since September 1st, only on October 14th, were the residents of Kyiv not awakened by alarm sirens urging them to head to shelters. In the first week of November alone, the sirens wailed for a total of 43 hours.
On the night from Saturday to Sunday, the Ukrainian air defence detected a record number of 145 incoming Shahed drones. These attacks are just one indication that Russia still has combat capabilities allowing for constant strikes on Ukraine - experts at CNN emphasize.
They want to break the civilians
The cities of Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odessa have also recently experienced exceptionally intense drone and missile attacks. According to experts, this seems to be a renewed attempt by the Russians to break the determination of Ukrainian civilians.
The intensification of attacks on cities occurred at a time when Russian forces were still achieving success in Donetsk, and Ukrainian troops were struggling with personnel shortages and were increasingly stretched along the extensive front line.
Spending nights in bathrooms and basements
Residents of Kyiv told CNN about long and terrifying nights when they were awakened by the wailing of sirens and explosions.
- For the past two months, when the shelling has become more frequent, we have been hiding in the bathroom or going down to the shelter in the basement - said one of the residents of the Ukrainian capital. She adds that the constant shelling is particularly hard on her six-year-old son.
- I don't remember when we had a proper night’s sleep - she adds.
Kyiv paralyzed
Frequent alarms are also affecting the functioning of the entire city of Kyiv. Bridges are closed, public transport is suspended, children do not go to school, and the city has been divided into two parts, each isolated by the Dnieper River.
Continuous attacks undermine Ukrainians' morale. The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology regularly asks whether Ukraine should continue fighting for as long as necessary. The number of people who answered yes dropped from 73% in February to 63% in October.
Less optimistic prospects have also dampened the mood among Ukraine's allies. They talk much less about Kyiv's victory on the battlefield and more about maintaining a sufficient position to force the Kremlin into negotiations.
