Nearly 1,500 Drones in Four Days: Russia’s New Aerial Assault Rattles Ukraine

Russia intensified its aerial assault on Kyiv and surrounding areas for a fifth straight day on Monday, disrupting daily life, damaging warehouses and raising concerns over food supplies as Ukraine struggles to counter a growing threat from jet-powered drones.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched nearly 1,500 drones at Ukraine between Thursday and Sunday, including around 800 jet-powered models. Their speed has made them harder to intercept, forcing Ukraine to explore new technologies to strengthen its air defences.

The latest strikes hit warehouses in Brovary and Boryspil, cities in the Kyiv region, injuring four people, according to local officials. A pall of black smoke was reported over parts of Kyiv as residents endured repeated air raid alerts that have increasingly disrupted normal routines.

The attacks have also affected Ukraine’s food distribution network. Strikes on warehouses, distribution centres and retail hubs have disrupted logistics, leaving some supermarket shelves temporarily bare and triggering concerns about possible shortages.

However, Zelenskyy’s adviser Serhii Beskrestnov sought to reassure the public that Ukraine would not go hungry. He urged people to reject rumours and disinformation, saying producers and retailers were reorganising supply chains. European countries, he added, could help meet any shortfall if necessary.

Ukraine is now racing to develop countermeasures against the jet-powered drones. Zelenskyy said four companies had developed interceptor drones, with one reportedly producing the most promising technology.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter. An energy facility in the northern Chernihiv region was damaged in an overnight attack, while Moscow warned of further strikes.

Russia also reported intercepting 239 Ukrainian drones across several regions. A Ukrainian missile strike on Belgorod reportedly killed three people, underscoring the widening reach of the conflict.