Russia steps up Kyiv strikes and digital attacks, Ukraine says

· Security · Ukraine · Russia

Russia's attacks on Kyiv are intensifying, making 2026 one of the long war's bloodiest years for the Ukrainian capital, with residents describing harder and more frequent strikes. Ukraine's prime minister said Russia is attacking the country's digital infrastructure with the same intensity as its power grid and urged government agencies to quickly form cybersecurity teams. Separately, former Ukrainian prisoners said a freed US citizen was tortured in Russian detention, describing beatings and sexual humiliation by guards. Western diplomats told the BBC that working in wartime Moscow resembles the Cold War era, with constant surveillance and paranoia.

Why it matters：Parallel campaigns against cities and digital networks show Russia's intent to break Ukrainian morale and infrastructure as diplomacy stalls.

Key points

  • Kyiv is enduring harder and more frequent strikes, residents say
  • Ukraine's premier says digital infrastructure is under attack at grid-level intensity
  • Ex-prisoners say a freed US citizen was tortured in Russian detention

Sources (original reporting)

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