Russia’s drones now strike Kyiv in broad daylight. Here’s why.

Russia has shifted its drone attack strategy on Kyiv, launching strike drones during the day for the first time. Previously, these attacks were carried out almost exclusively after dark. The change means air raid alerts now interrupt daytime routines across the Ukrainian capital, forcing residents to seek shelter in the middle of work, school, and daily errands. The reason for the shift is the nature of the drones themselves. Russia is using a new type of loitering munition that is slower and flies at a lower altitude. This makes it harder for Ukrainian radar and anti-aircraft systems to detect and track the drone against the background noise of the city. Daylight operations also complicate Ukraine’s defense. Ground crews responsible for shooting down drones must now operate under direct visual observation, increasing their exposure to risk. At the same time, civilians have less warning time, as the slower, low-flying drones are often only spotted once they are already over populated areas. Military analysts note that the tactic aims to exhaust Kyiv’s air defense resources and stretch its response capabilities. By attacking at unpredictable hours, Russia forces Ukraine to keep its systems on constant alert, reducing their effectiveness over time. For now, Kyiv’s air defense units report that they are adapting to the new threat, but the psychological impact on residents is clear: the city no longer has the relative safety of darkness.