2,000 Attacks in Seven Days: The 2026 Ukraine Russia War Escalation

The New Year hasn't brought the peace many hoped for. On Monday, Jan 5, 2026, Russian forces launched an air attack on Kyiv, resulting in the city's first reported civilian death this year. This latest strike marks a grim start to a year that's already seen a massive surge in aerial warfare across both nations.

2026 Ukraine Russia War Escalation and Civilian Toll

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Sunday that Russia has unleashed more than 2,000 air attacks in just the first week of 2026. The violence hasn't been limited to the capital; drone strikes in the Sumy region killed two people, while missile attacks on Kharkiv on Friday saw the death toll rise to five after more victims were discovered in the rubble.

Moscow Targeted Daily by Ukrainian Drones

In a significant shift, Moscow is now facing daily drone incursions. Russia’s Ministry of Defence stated that Ukraine has targeted the capital every single day of 2026 so far. By Sunday night, Russian air defenses reportedly destroyed 57 drones over the Moscow region out of 437 downed nationwide. The intensity of these attacks forced three of Moscow's four major airports to suspend flights temporarily.

Diplomatic Tensions and Sea-Bed Sabotage

While missiles fly, shadow warfare continues underwater. Latvian investigators are currently boarding a vessel linked to the damage of an undersea cable between Lithuania and Latvia. This follows a similar incident in the Gulf of Finland, where Finnish police suspect a cargo ship sabotaged a telecom line by dragging its anchor for several miles.