Russia Keeps Kyiv Under Drone Barrage as 40-Day Air War Hits Cities Far From Front
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 3
Russia Keeps Kyiv Under Drone Barrage as 40-Day Air War Hits Cities Far From Front
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 3
Summary
Kyiv has faced near-constant Russian drone attacks in recent days, leaving residents under almost continual air-raid alerts as the air war intensifies.
Russia and Ukraine are increasingly striking warehouses, ports, grain shipments and energy networks far from the front, using expanding missile and drone arsenals to inflict pain and seek leverage.
The latest escalation accelerated in late June, when Ukraine launched a 40-day campaign that President Volodymyr Zelensky said was meant to compel Russia to end the war.
Analysts see no sign the attacks will break either side’s will; instead, they expect civilian suffering to worsen through winter as both countries try to strengthen their hands in U.S.-backed settlement talks.
As winter approaches, will Ukraine's unprecedented strikes on Russian refineries force Moscow to negotiate before Kyiv's grid collapses?
Could the mutual destruction of critical energy infrastructure ultimately derail the expected US-backed peace talks rather than create leverage?
The 2026 Russia-Ukraine Aerial War: Escalation, Deep Strikes, and the Battle for Air Superiority
Overview
In the summer of 2026, the Russia-Ukraine war shifted dramatically to the skies as both sides launched massive drone and missile attacks. Ukraine, facing a severe shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles, struggled to stop Russian barrages, leading to a temporary halt in reporting downed missiles to prevent intelligence leaks. In response, Ukraine expanded its own drone campaign, targeting Russian oil refineries and key infrastructure, which caused widespread fuel shortages and forced the Kremlin to impose strict rationing and export bans. These deep strikes forced Russia to redeploy air defenses away from the front lines, leaving some regions exposed, while also triggering economic strain and public frustration. Meanwhile, peace talks stalled, and the conflict settled into a costly stalemate with no end in sight.