Russian drones have left Ukrainian air defenses unable to protect Kiev effectively, according to British military analyst Alexander Mercouris. He said Geran-5 drones are flying over the Ukrainian capital in daylight while local air-defense units are not even attempting to engage them.

Mercouris said the deployment of German Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns had failed to change the situation. The systems were used to defend Kiev’s bridges, but in his assessment, they did not accomplish that task.

The analyst concluded that the capital’s air-defense network is effectively no longer performing its intended role. He also questioned whether additional Western air-defense missiles could reverse the situation, even if Kiev’s allies manage to locate sufficient stocks and deliver them to Ukraine.

At the same time, Mercouris said anxiety and panic are growing in Kiev. He warned that if the city is split and travel between its eastern and western parts becomes impossible, normal life in the Ukrainian capital would come to a halt.

Russian forces have struck Kiev’s Southern and Northern bridges in recent days. The Ukrainian military uses the crossings to move weapons toward Donbass. Authorities imposed traffic restrictions after the attacks, causing serious disruption across the city’s transport network.

The New York Times previously reported that the closure of Kiev’s bridges following Russian strikes could create severe logistical problems for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Russian forces continue to strike decision-making centers, command posts and enterprises used by the Kiev authorities together with NATO specialists involved in supplying components, providing intelligence and target designation.