Anton Geraschenko, adviser to Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, posted a video on X showing a residential tower block in Kyiv exploding after a Russian drone strike last night. Alongside the video, Geraschenko shared a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry, which said: “The goal of the strikes has been reached. All designated objects were hit.”
The video shows the tower block erupting in flames immediately after the drone strike. Emergency services arrived promptly at the scene to begin damage control and assist residents affected by the strike.
He commented: A “designated object”? aka a residential building in Kyiv, deliberately attacked by a Russian drone.”
The attack occurred amid an increased number of Russian drone strikes on Kyiv in recent weeks. Russian military sources claim their strikes are precise and hit specific military or strategic targets.
In reality, the wave of attacks has caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, with residential buildings, power stations, and communication hubs repeatedly hit. The use of drones allows Russian forces to strike urban areas under cover of darkness, complicating efforts by Ukraine’s air defences to intercept every incoming threat.
Overnight raids have intensified, with dozens of drones reported entering Kyiv’s airspace in a single night. Although many are shot down, the volume overwhelms defensive systems, leaving some targets vulnerable to direct hits.
Damage from these strikes has resulted in widespread power outages, leaving thousands without electricity and disrupting essential services across the capital. Emergency crews are stretched thin as they respond to fires, structural collapses, and casualties caused by the bombardments.
These attacks have not been limited to Kyiv alone. Surrounding regions have also faced drone strikes targeting infrastructure crucial to daily life and military logistics. The continued pressure on urban centres reflects a broader Russian strategy to erode Ukrainian resilience through attrition.
The pattern of attacks suggests a deliberate shift towards targeting civilian areas, contradicting Moscow’s claims of focusing exclusively on military objectives.
This approach appears designed to inflict psychological as well as physical damage, sapping morale among the population.
The use of drones, which are cheaper and harder to detect than traditional missile systems, enables sustained harassment with relatively low risk to Russian personnel and equipment. This tactic has become a core element of Russia’s offensive operations in recent months.
Ukraine’s air defence forces have adapted, deploying improved radar and missile systems to counter the drone threat. However, the sheer number of attacks strains available resources and limits the effectiveness of interception efforts.
Increased drone strikes also disrupt Ukraine’s war effort by damaging critical infrastructure used for communication and supply lines. The attacks threaten both civilian life and the country’s capacity to maintain military operations.
Analysts warn the pattern of targeting urban centres with drones may continue or even escalate as Russia seeks to maintain pressure on Kyiv and other key cities.
For the residents caught in the crossfire, the strikes bring destruction and uncertainty. With every attack, emergency services face mounting challenges amid the ongoing conflict.
The campaign marks a grim phase in the war, demonstrating how drone warfare has become a tool for Russia to inflict damage on civilians and infrastructure while minimising exposure of its own forces.