Situated just thirty kilometers from the Russian border, Ukraine’s former capital Kharkiv has been a front line city ever since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. With Putin’s army now advancing to the east and the bombardment of civilian targets intensifying, Kharkiv residents are facing what may become the most difficult winter of the entire war.
In October alone, Russia bombed Kharkiv more than eighty times. Many of these attacks involved different categories of drones, reflecting the changing nature of the war. Russia now relies mostly on a mix of first-person view (FVP) drones, loitering munitions, Shahed drones, and guided aerial bombs. These weapons systems are all far cheaper and faster to produce than missiles, making it easier for the Kremlin to maintain the intensity of the bombardment and destabilize the life of the city.
The recent appearance of FVP drones within the city limits has created an additional layer of unease for the approximately 1.3 million people currently living in Kharkiv. Technical modifications introduced in 2025 have increased the range of Russian FVP drones, enabling them to reach Kharkiv and nearby settlements previously regarded as relatively safe. This has dramatically altered the threat environment, pointing to a continued escalation in Russia’s use of drones against urban populations.
Voice of Ukraine 