KYIV – September 1, 2026 – Russia has kept Kyiv under near-continuous air-raid alerts for several days, using new jet-powered drones in a campaign President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said is meant to “wear down” the country.
Zelenskyy said about 800 Shahed drones were fired into Ukraine over four days. Ukrainian air defences have intercepted most of the incoming aircraft, but hits and falling debris have caused fires and disruption across the capital and surrounding region.
The prolonged daytime and overnight waves mark a shift from earlier patterns of mostly nighttime attacks. Russia is also reported to be preparing further strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Separately, Germany is expected to identify a suspect in last month’s drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where explosive-laden drones were found near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft.
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