Kyiv under air attack after truce expires: Ukrainian authorities

• Kyiv residents return to bomb shelters as Russian drone strikes shatter the silence of a newly expired three-day truce.

The fragile silence over Ukraine’s capital was shattered early Tuesday morning as Russian forces launched a wave of drone strikes, marking a grim return to hostilities following the expiration of a three-day truce.

The regional military administration reported multiple explosions across the city and its outskirts as air defense systems engaged incoming targets. The strikes represent the first direct assault on the capital since Friday, ending a brief period of relative calm that had offered residents a momentary reprieve from the ongoing conflict.

Immediate Impact and Response

"Enemy UAVs are currently over Kyiv. Please stay safe until the alert is cleared," head of the capital's military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, posted on Telegram.

The message coincided with the wail of air raid sirens, a sound that has been absent for 72 hours but remains a hauntingly familiar part of daily life.

Initial reports indicate that the attack involved several waves of Shahed-type loitering munitions. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, local officials confirmed:

• Air Defense Activity: Active interceptions were reported in the Pecherskyi and Solomyanskyi districts.
• Casualty Reports: Emergency services are currently on the scene; however, no immediate fatalities have been confirmed.
• Infrastructure: Residents reported localized power flickers, though the energy grid appears to remain stable for now.
  The End of the Truce

The three-day ceasefire, which was brokered to allow for humanitarian corridors and the exchange of prisoners, expired at midnight. While both sides had largely adhered to the pause, the swiftness of Tuesday’s attack suggests a pre-planned resumption of Russia's aerial campaign against Ukrainian urban centers.

Military analysts suggest that the strikes may be aimed at testing the readiness of Ukraine's air defenses after the brief lull.

"The return to sirens and explosions after just a few days of peace is a cruel reminder of the reality we face," said Olena, a Kyiv resident seeking shelter in a local metro station. "We hoped the quiet would last, but we were prepared for it not to."

Authorities continue to urge citizens to remain in shelters as the "clear" signal has yet to be given. The Ukrainian government has not yet signaled whether it will seek a further extension of the ceasefire or if this marks a return to full-scale offensive operations across all fronts.