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There is no smell of peace here

After nearly a month of pretending to pursue peace and diplomacy, Russia has launched a new wave of attacks on Ukrainian cities. For more than three weeks, the capital had been spared from massive strikes, but this lull ended on the night of August 28th when the Kremlin fired drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles at Kyiv, killing 23 people and injuring more than a hundred.

September 15, 2025 - Stanislav Storozhenko - Stories and ideas

Neighbours assess the damage after the mass Russian attack against Kyiv on August 28th 2025. Photo: Stanislav Storozhenko

Many Ukrainians who still hold out hope for a diplomatic settlement are nevertheless preparing for renewed waves of attacks this autumn, despite ongoing negotiations. How did the strike on one of the most heavily shelled areas of Kyiv unfold, and what do its residents say about the prospects for peace?

Relaxed by the absence of recent strikes, I returned home on Thursday night expecting to fall asleep quickly. My apartment is located in the Lukyanivka district, in central Kyiv. This part of the capital is among the most frequently attacked, due to the presence of several military facilities. Almost every midnight air raid siren feels like a round of Russian roulette — one you almost always lose, since the strikes often hit this area.

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