Kyiv tightens security after Russian drone surge

Ukraine announced stricter security protocols for Kyiv public transport, schools and parliament on Monday after a surge in Russian drone attacks disrupted daily life in the capital.

Russia has increased daily drone attacks after intensifying missile strikes on Kyiv in recent months. Since last week, jet-powered drones have been attacking Kyiv and surrounding areas, triggering about a dozen air-raid alerts a day and hitting businesses.

A weekend attack on an ammunition depot killed 38 people in the capital's suburbs. Another attack killed a two-year-old girl in a Kyiv park on Saturday.

Ukrainian children return to school after summer holidays on Tuesday. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv regional military administration, said there must be no large events “in areas with a high level of risk” and that it was “essential to prevent large gatherings of children, parents, and staff of educational institutions”.

City hall also said it was preparing changes for schools, including remote learning.

An underground shelter has been prepared for parliament. Lawmaker Olga Vasyliuk-Smaglevska said members of parliament would be given 10 minutes to go down to the shelter in case of danger. She said chairs had been set up there for 330 members of parliament.

The metro no longer crosses the Dnieper River, which divides Kyiv, causing traffic disruption. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that he had met local officials on Monday to discuss changes to security protocols and suggested that one metro line remain open despite strikes.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergiy Koretskyi said Saturday that “the enemy is trying to paralyse economic activity in the capital and major cities”. He called for security rules to be adapted to better protect people while preserving the ability to live in cities and communities.

Some Kyiv residents and experts have criticised the existing approach. Mykhailo Zhernakov, head of a legal think tank, said on Facebook that if much of the capital stopped for about 40 minutes every hour because of a single drone in the region, “we’re not going to last long like this”.