Since the onset of the Russian invasion four years ago, Ukraine has been under a constant threat from airstrikes, predominantly from drone attacks. On January 28, a particularly alarming event occurred when drone warnings caused panic in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, a town near Kyiv. As a result, residents, like 43-year-old Kateryna Hulenko, were abruptly awakened by the alarming sounds of air raid sirens, reflecting a broadened scope of fear and anxiety as the frequency of such attacks has significantly increased compared to the early days of the conflict.

The escalation in drone assaults highlights the deteriorating security situation for civilians, which has turned their daily lives into a series of traumatic experiences. Many families are forced to remain vigilant, adopting a lifestyle marked by uncertainty and constant preparation for air raid alerts. The sheer volume of drone attacks as reported in January—6,000 instances—indicates a strategic shift in military tactics by Russia, which is continuously putting civilian lives in jeopardy and creating a pervasive atmosphere of dread within Ukrainian communities.

This surge in drone attacks poses not only an immediate risk to life and property but also raises significant questions about the implications for peace negotiations and the future of civilian stability in Ukraine. As the international community monitors the situation, it becomes increasingly critical for humanitarian efforts to address the needs of those affected and for policymakers to formulate effective responses to mitigate the impact of these escalating threats on the civilian population.