Kyiv braces for brutal fifth winter as drone attacks disrupt daily life

Kyiv faces a brutal fifth winter of war as near-constant Russian drone attacks disrupt daily life, with residents bracing for even harder conditions ahead. The intensified air campaign is straining transport, schooling, and shopping across the Ukrainian capital. Russia has shifted to swifter, jet-propelled drones that are harder to intercept, with August seeing over 2,800 launched and only about 60% shot down. Attacks now occur around-the-clock, causing power outages, metro halts, and school evacuations, while dozens of civilians have been killed since August 27. Despite the hardship, a Kyiv poll shows 69% oppose ceding unoccupied Donbas territory, up from 62% in April. Residents adapt, but many, like Bohdan, are moving away, and children's dreams remain fixed on the war ending.