War in Ukraine: Russia intensifies attacks; Kyiv struck by kamikaze drones

Ukraine's capital Kyiv came under attack by kamikaze drones on Monday (October 17) morning. At least two explosions were reported after air raid sirens went off. One of the drones reportedly hit an office building, though fortunately, the building seemed empty at the time. 

In the past 13 hours, #UAarmy shot down 37 Iranian Shahed-136 drones and 3 cruise missiles launched by russian terrorists.

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) October 17, 2022

What's the latest: The Ukraine-Russia war is going to hit the eight-month mark, but there is no sign of the battle ending anytime soon. 

• Fighting in the eastern parts of Ukraine like the Donetsk and Luhansk regions has intensified.
• A massive fire was also reported at an energy facility in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region after a missile attack.

Russia and its military personnel: It is no secret anymore that Russia is struggling in the war with Ukraine that it started. Having miscalculated its ability, Moscow has reportedly lost around 65,000-90,000 of its military personnel and is losing earlier occupied territories to Kyiv. 

• Amid the personnel and logistical crisis, Vladimir Putin issued "partial" conscription making it mandatory for abled men to join the military and fight the war in Ukraine. 
• Reports say that Moscow is literally taking men off the streets and putting them on the front lines to fight the war. 

"Hoo-ah!"
Lt. Col. Frank Slade

Total combat losses of the enemy from Feb 24 to Oct 16: pic.twitter.com/A9Sykj4VtO

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) October 16, 2022

• Men are reportedly being whisked away by the police from homeless shelters, offices, hostels, cafes, train stations, apartment building lobbies, etc.
• This comes as several Russian men were reported lining up at airports fleeing the country to escape the conscription. 
• Furthermore, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of enlisting 2,000 "convicts" in the war against Ukraine. 

• He said these people were convicted of serious crimes and were serving long sentences. 
• In Russia itself, two gunmen opened fire on Russian military recruits training at a base in Belgorod. At least 11 personnel have been reported killed, while some estimate the numbers to be higher. 
• The gunmen are said to be of a former Soviet country nationality. 

State of play: Millions of people have been displaced by the war so far. The UN children's agency estimates that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has thrust four million children into poverty across eastern Europe and Central Asia. 

Context: The recent escalation of the war came as Kremlin blamed Kyiv for sending agents to blow up the Crimean bridge last week. Putin called it an act of terror. Following this, Kremlin hammered Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with missiles hitting civilian targets.

• More on the Crimean bridge: UK intelligence has said that Russia is facing severe logistical issues due to the collapse of the bridge. 
• The fear of a nuclear war or a disaster still remains high as Russian missiles continue to hit key infrastructure in Ukraine including crucial energy plants required to keep the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant safe.