How Ukrainians Are Coping With Intensified Russian Attacks

Ukrainians are adapting to an intensified wave of Russian attacks that have grown deadlier in recent months, according to Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist, who recently returned from a visit to the country.

Minton Beddoes described conditions in Kyiv as involving extraordinary levels of bombardment, noting that Russian forces have continued to target the capital and other areas despite Ukraine's substantial investment in drone-based air defenses.

Living under sustained bombardment

According to her account, Russia has pursued a strategy aimed at making life in Ukrainian cities increasingly difficult, with sustained strikes placing continued strain on infrastructure and daily life. Despite this pressure, she observed that residents have developed routines to continue functioning amid the ongoing threat.

Ukraine has invested heavily in drone technology, both for offensive operations and for bolstering its air defense capabilities, as it works to counter the scale of aerial attacks it continues to face.

A prolonged conflict

The observations come more than three and a half years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the war showing no clear signs of resolution. Civilian populations in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities have repeatedly had to adjust to evolving patterns of attack, including strikes on energy infrastructure during colder months.

Minton Beddoes' firsthand account adds to a broader body of reporting documenting the resilience of Ukrainian civilians as the war continues to reshape daily life across the country.