Kyiv faced another day of disruption on Friday as Russian drones targeted the Ukrainian capital, sending residents back into shelters and triggering repeated air raid alerts.
The latest attacks came after an exceptionally difficult day on Thursday, when Kyiv experienced 13 separate air raid warnings and remained under threat for almost 15 hours.
By Friday, the capital had already endured at least 23 air raid alerts in less than two days, according to Ukrainian officials.
The repeated warnings have disrupted transport, work and daily life across the city as residents struggle to maintain normal routines amid continuing aerial threats.
Kyiv Faces Repeated Air Raid Warnings
Russian forces continued launching drones toward Kyiv in small groups on Friday.
Each new wave forced authorities to issue another warning and residents to seek shelter.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said the repeated attacks had placed civilians under constant pressure throughout the day.
The attacks also affected rail services.
Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine’s state railway operator, reported major delays caused by the prolonged air raid alerts. Although officials did not cancel long-distance trains, some services arrived several hours late.
The railway operator warned that disruptions could continue for at least another day.
Russia Uses Jet-Powered Drones
Ukrainian officials say Russia has increasingly relied on smaller groups of jet-powered drones to maintain pressure on Kyiv.
Instead of launching one massive attack, Russian forces send drones in repeated waves. As a result, each new group can trigger another air raid warning.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, said the strategy appears designed to wear down both Ukraine’s air defences and the civilian population.
The faster drones create another challenge for Ukrainian forces.
Many interceptor drones can reach speeds of around 300 kilometres per hour, while some Russian jet-powered drones can travel faster. That could force Ukrainian defenders to use more expensive air-defence missiles against relatively inexpensive targets.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched around 140 attack drones against Ukraine between 7am and 7pm on Thursday.
More than 100 of those drones were reportedly jet-powered, with many directed toward Kyiv.
Drone Attacks Damage Homes and Warehouses
The continuing strikes have caused significant damage across Kyiv and the surrounding region.
Regional authorities said one person died and two others suffered injuries on Friday.
The attacks also damaged 14 warehouses, 16 private homes, three apartment buildings and 16 vehicles.
Warehouses and distribution centres have become frequent targets during recent Russian attacks.
Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi said around 90% of Ukraine’s modern storage facilities for goods have been destroyed by Russian strikes.
Despite the extensive damage, Vysotskyi said Ukraine would still have enough food.
However, retailers now face major logistical problems. Businesses are being forced to reorganise supply chains and, in some cases, move products directly from producers to shops.
Air Raids Disrupt Everyday Life
For Kyiv residents, the repeated warnings have become part of daily life.
People have been forced to interrupt work, travel and other activities whenever sirens sound.
The prolonged alerts also put additional pressure on emergency services, transport workers and air-defence personnel.
Each new drone wave requires authorities to assess the threat again, while residents must decide whether to remain indoors or move to a shelter.
The repeated attacks have therefore created disruption even when individual strikes do not hit the city centre.
Moscow Says It Is Targeting Military Infrastructure
The Kremlin continued to insist on Friday that Russian forces are targeting military and military-related infrastructure.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian strikes on Kyiv were continuing deliberately and systematically.
He said Russian forces were focused on destroying military and paramilitary infrastructure.
However, Ukrainian officials have reported extensive damage to civilian properties, including homes, warehouses and vehicles.
The competing claims reflect the broader dispute between Moscow and Kyiv over the targets and impact of Russian attacks.
Kyiv Braces for More Attacks
The latest wave of drone attacks has once again highlighted the challenges facing Kyiv as Russia continues its aerial campaign.
The capital has endured repeated air raid warnings within a short period, while residents and businesses face disruptions to transport and everyday activities.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to rely on a combination of interceptor drones and air-defence missiles to protect its cities.
As Russia sends drones in successive waves, Ukrainian officials warn that the strategy can place sustained pressure on both defensive systems and civilians.
For Kyiv, the immediate challenge remains clear: residents must continue living their daily lives while remaining ready to move to shelters whenever another air raid warning sounds.
