BirSaNN Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 The Ukrainian capital Kyiv has been repeatedly hit by missiles and drones over the past few weeks. Most of the attacks come at night. In central Kyiv, Nataliya Lyashchenko has lost count of the number of times where the sound of air sirens, drones and missiles have stopped her sleeping. During one night-time raid, she said the bright lights in the dark sky were "like Star Wars". Strikes like these are becoming more frequent. Experts believe Russia is changing its tactics in an attempt to sap Ukraine's air defences - but also suspect that, to some degree, it is lashing out at Ukraine's civilian po[CENSORED]tion in response to setbacks in the war. BBC Verify has analysed local media reports, eyewitness accounts, and statements from local officials and the Ukrainian military to build a picture of the rise in these aerial attacks both on Kyiv and across the country since the start of this year. In January, there were just three days when Russia launched aerial attacks on targets in Ukraine. In May, that figure increased to 21 days. There also were attacks on the first two days of June. In addition to intensifying the attacks, Russia appears to have changed its main objectives. Dara Massicot, senior policy researcher at the Rand Corporation, says that the aim of the attacks is to wear down Ukrainian air defences. "Right now we're seeing more strikes against large po[CENSORED]tion centres, which puts Ukraine in a position where they're forced to expend interceptors to defend their cities," she says. Interceptors are surface-to-air missiles used to shoot down attacking drones or missiles. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65682618
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