KYIV, Ukraine — In the early hours of a recent morning, residents of Kyiv were jolted awake by the sudden blare of air-raid sirens, signaling another wave of Russian missile strikes on the city. At 3:11 a.m., less than three minutes after the alarm sounded, multiple explosions shook the 16-story apartment building where Nikita Horskyi, his partner Alona Horska, and their two children live.

Without access to a formal shelter, the family resorted to protective measures inside their home. Mr. Horskyi gathered their children while Ms. Horska arranged makeshift beds in the hallway, positioning themselves against interior walls for added security. Their 10-year-old son, Mark, clung to a stuffed toy and whispered a prayer as the missiles struck, describing the recurrent trauma of the explosions. His younger sister, Arina, 5, lay on an inflatable mattress nearby.

Despite the frequent attacks, the family managed to resume interrupted sleep, only to be awakened later by the sound of another missile impact and breaking glass. One of the strikes nearby resulted in the deaths of two security guards. In the hours following, the children prepared to attend school under increasingly stressful conditions, as the sound of jet-propelled drones signaled the continuation of the assault.

Mark acknowledged the psychological toll the bombardment has taken, noting the need to find ways to calm himself amid persistent anxiety. His experience reflects a broader reality confronting Kyiv residents, where missile strikes have intensified in frequency and duration. These attacks now occur not only during the night but throughout the day, contributing to a pervasive atmosphere of uncertainty and danger.

The escalating assault has marked a new phase in the conflict for Ukraine’s capital, altering daily life as families adjust to the constant threat posed by Russian air raids. The impact extends beyond physical destruction to the mental and emotional well-being of civilians coping with the persistent violence outside their doors.