Russia launches 135 drones at Ukraine overnight; Kyiv braces for winter

On October 4, Russian forces launched a major overnight drone attack on Ukraine, firing 135 strike drones from six directions. Ukrainian air defenses successfully shot down or suppressed 123 of the incoming drones by 08:30. The attack involved Shahed drones, including 52 jet-powered variants, as well as "Gerbera" and "Banderol"/"Dan-T" types, launched from Orel, Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, plus occupied Donetsk and Crimea. Strikes were recorded at five locations, with debris falling at five additional sites, and the attack was ongoing. Russia has intensified strikes on Kyiv, focusing on bridges across the Dnipro River. The Washington Post reports this campaign may aim to disrupt the capital's functioning before winter, potentially weakening bridge structures and forcing indefinite closures, creating a logistical nightmare for Kyiv and the country.