Drone alarm in Kyiv – life between fear and everyday life

War against Ukraine

Drone alarm in Kyiv – life between fear and everyday life

Sirens, explosions, destruction: How has everyday life in Kiev changed recently? Despite constant danger, life does not stand still. But the capital is worried about a harsh winter.

Sirens wailing, air alert in Kyiva quick look at the cell phone: yellow or red? If the warning app shows red, then ballistic missiles or swarms of drones are threatening Russia the capital of the Ukraine – high time to find a shelter!

At yellow alert, individual drones are in the air. Then the megacity on the Dnipro tries to carry on with its life despite the danger. Companies do not have to close. But subway stations are becoming shelters. Schools cancel classes, children go to bunkers or sit in the subway.

The traffic light regulation has been in effect since the beginning of September. The capital should not come to a standstill every time, even if the alarms increase. Kiev has often been bombarded from the air since the major invasion began in 2022, but was better protected than Kharkiv, close to the Russian border, or the port city of Odessa. But since the summer the situation has become more dangerous. “The enemy has increased his attacks,” says mayor Vitali Klitschko.

First, the Russian army is increasingly using fast, jet-powered combat drones. The Ukrainian air defense system does not yet have an antidote against the Geran-5 drone type; In the case of ammunition against ballistic missiles, it is blank anyway.

Secondly, attacks are no longer just at night, the drones fly almost all day long. Last Friday: 10 alarms, a total of almost 9 hours, several impacts and fires, 7 dead and 59 injured. Results for Sunday: more than 18 hours of alarm, 3 dead and a dozen injured. “There is no war in Kiev, it is terror and murder of the civilian population,” says a demobilized army officer.

Thirdly, attacks are increasingly targeting everyday facilities. Ukraine is also attacking the warehouses of online retailers in Russia. But Russia has shelled hardware stores, food and cold storage facilities, pharmaceutical factories, and telephone and Internet data centers in Kiev. A pet supplies warehouse was destroyed.

Gas stations are a new target. “I’m nervous,” admits a gas station attendant at a gas station in the Obolon district. And he notices that his customers can no longer take a break. Fill up, pay, leave quickly! He also looks at his cell phone: “If there are drones over Kiev, we’ll shut down,” he says. His view of Russian strategy: “They want to scare us so that we agree to their conditions.”