Russia has intensified its drone and missile campaign against Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Sumy. Targets have included residential buildings, large open-air markets, shopping malls, the Dobrobut medical centre, and the National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv.
In September, Russia launched 3,177 jet-powered drones, primarily Geran variants, at Ukraine. This represents a nearly 12% increase compared to August and a significant rise from 350 such strikes in June. These drone attacks are often supplemented by ballistic missiles like the Iskander.
Despite over four and a half years of conflict, Russia's territorial objectives, including the annexation of four Ukrainian provinces, remain elusive. A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll in December 2025 found that three-quarters of Ukrainians surveyed rejected a hypothetical deal involving land concessions for peace.