AUGUST 31, 2026
Russian drone and missile strikes on Kyiv region enter fifth consecutive day, disrupting food supply and daily life
Russian forces struck Kyiv and surrounding cities for a fifth consecutive day on Monday, hitting warehouses in Brovary and Boryspil and leaving some supermarket shelves bare, with four people wounded in the Kyiv region. Between Thursday and Sunday, Russia fired nearly 1,500 drones at Ukraine, approximately 800 of which were jet-powered, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A Saturday strike killed at least 38 people, following two major July attacks that killed nearly 50 civilians combined.
Russian aerial attacks have battered Kyiv and its surrounding region nearly without pause, with air raid alerts severely disrupting daily routines and prompting public anxiety about food and school schedules. Ukrainian officials said Zelenskyy adviser Serhii Beskrestnov urged the public not to panic, stating Ukraine would not go hungry and that producers and retailers are restructuring supply chains, with European countries prepared to fill any shortfall if necessary.
Zelenskyy acknowledged on social media that Ukraine is struggling to counter fast-flying jet-propelled drones that Russia is increasingly deploying. Combat aircraft are currently being used to intercept the jet-powered drones while Ukraine develops new technology. Zelenskyy said four companies have developed interceptor drones and one has achieved the most successful results, though he did not provide further detail.
Russian forces also launched what Ukrainian officials described as a massive overnight drone attack on the northern Chernihiv region, where an energy facility was damaged. The Russian Defense Ministry announced Sunday that it is preparing "massive strikes" on Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Russia said it shot down 239 Ukrainian drones overnight across 14 Russian regions, occupied Crimea, and Black Sea waters.