The shift in Russian strategy began at the end of August and has caused widespread disruption across Kyiv. Schools, offices and transport networks are repeatedly interrupted, with overland trains halting during alerts. In the seven days from 27 August, the capital recorded 76 air raid alerts — the highest weekly total since the war began. The previous peak was around 66 alerts in the week starting 27 February 2022, though data from that early period was sometimes incomplete.
A brief pause in attacks occurred over the weekend while US envoys visited for talks aimed at ending the war. However, analysis of figures from the Kyiv Digital app shows that since the round-the-clock campaign began, alerts have averaged 10 per day.
The Ukrainian government is now planning a two-tier warning system that would allow people to continue working, travelling or studying depending on the severity of the threat. The move is intended to reduce the economic and social toll of constant disruption.
Residents have been forced to adapt to a new reality of heightened anxiety, with underground car parks commonly used as shelters. The alerts have added to existing stress and strain on daily life in the capital.