Theguardian iconTheguardianJul 15, 2026 ~1 min source read

As Russia’s assault continues, Ukraine’s politics shift and an old alliance begins to fray

Beneath the ​drone strikes and ​talk of ceasefires lies a battle over history that is testing ​Kyiv's chances for an end to the conflict • Don't get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? We are now in a period where Russia has again stepped up its air attacks on the Ukrainian capital.

As Russia’s assault continues, Ukraine’s politics shift and an old alliance begins to fray

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Beneath the ​drone strikes and ​talk of ceasefires lies a battle over history that is testing ​Kyiv's chances for an end to the conflict • Don't get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox?

We are now in a period where Russia has again stepped up its air attacks on the Ukrainian capital.

Frequent mass drone and missile attacks keep Kyiv residents awake, and some even get through to the city centre, whereas in the past Ukrainian air defences were usually able to repel them.

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The useful part

Beneath the ​drone strikes and ​talk of ceasefires lies a battle over history that is testing ​Kyiv's chances for an end to the conflict • Don't get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? We are now in a period where Russia has again stepped up its air attacks on the Ukrainian capital. Frequent mass drone and missile attacks keep Kyiv residents awake, and some even get through to the city centre, whereas in the past Ukrainian air defences were usually able to repel them.

How it works

  • Nights can be noisy and scary: one attack while I was there killed 27 people.

Details worth keeping

Thousands head into the metro to get some sleep.

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