Attack Drones buzz with hours over Kyiv

The large -scale Russian attacks of drones against Ukrainian cities are increasing.

The bombing on Monday night, although not regulated, was characteristic of the new norm.

A few hours after midnight, drones were buzzing constantly over Kyiv.

It seems that they come from almost every direction, as the floodlights invaded the sky and the leather of orange tracing fire rose from the air defense units located around the city.

As each drone approaches, the streets would echo with the deep rattle of the heavy machine gun.

From our hotel one could see a fire in the distance, like a fiery orange moon, almost full, slowly fading, as if it did not want to compete.

Strong explosions would have a successful interception or drone reaching their goal.

Sitting under all this drama, it is difficult to maintain a sense of perspective.

The word “massive” is used routinely in official statements.

But a look at statistics tells an unmistakable story: away from the front lines Ukraine is in the midst of the most long bombing from the early stages of the full-scale invasion of Russia, with a sharp increase in the number of drones.

In the three months before August last year, Russia launched a total of 1100, according to a report from the General Staff of Ukraine.

A steep rise followed, with 818 drones recorded in August in August, 1,410 in September and over 2000 in October.

But the numbers just continue to go up.

In May, the number of drones exceeded 4000 for the first time. This month it will probably set a new record.

Since the beginning of June, Russia has launched an average of 256 shells every 24 hours, according to data composed of the Ukrainian Air Force.

Most of them are drones, including Shahed models and various lures designed to confuse Ukraine’s air defense systems.

Russia first began using Iranianly delivered chess – the word means “martyr” – at the end of 2022.

But next summer, he produces his own variant, known as Gerani, in a special economic zone in Jelabuga, in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan.

According to the Artem Dehtiinko, a spokesman for Ukraine, SBU, 25,000 drones were manufactured there, with another 20,000 assembled by earlier Iranian components.

Of the 315 discovered during the bombing on Monday night, 250 were actual impact drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuri Stinat.

“Most of them have turned specifically for Kiev,” he told the Ukrainian News Agency on RBC.

A total of seven ballistic and cruise missiles were also fired in the capital.

This meant another sleepless night for the long -suffering population of Kyiv.

“It became more intensive,” Katya, a resident of Kyiv, told me.

“It was easier emotionally before. Now it is somehow more difficult.”

And it’s not just the intensity of the impact. After hundreds of similar nights, people in Kyiv It can feel the subtle changes to technology as Russia develops its ability.

“There are more drones with a slightly different sound than before,” Katya said.

SBU’s Dehtiinko says Russia is making constant modifications.

“Russian engineers are tasked with increasing their destructive power in order to maximize the devastation and victims of civilians,” he said.

“In addition, efforts are made to make geranium drones less vulnerable to Ukrainian air protection.”

The residential blocks and office buildings were among the places affected on Monday. Kiev usually avoids saying that if damage is caused to something that can be considered a military purpose.

But a statement from the Ministry of Culture says that for the first time, Kiev’s St. Sofia Cathedral feels the impact.

St. Sofia is the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant cultural and religious monuments of Ukraine, with spectacular mosaics and murals of the 11th century.

An explosive wave is said to have damaged the plastered cornice of the east facade but did not affect the interior.

“However, any vibrational impact caused by explosions is a serious threat to the integrity of the structure,” the ministry said.