Nikopol, a city in southern Ukraine, has been attacked almost every day since the war began, local authorities say. The city’s proximity to Russian military positions means that civilians face a heightened risk of attacks by short-range Russian drones.

Living in Fear

Oleksandr Varytsev, a poet and local charity organizer, said that despite the danger, people have grown accustomed to the threat. “We’ve actually grown somewhat accustomed to the danger, though the feeling of fear never really goes away,” he said.

The continual drone threat has forced civilians to change their everyday behaviors to avoid becoming victims. They try not to stand in outdoor spaces like bus stops, and schools and kindergartens have been closed. Civilian services like the Ukrainian national post office and city buses are also routinely suspended.

Adapting to the New Reality

Locals have found ways to adapt to the new reality, including using overhead fishing nets to trap drones and notifying civilians of incoming drones via a city-wide warning app. Some companies and emergency workers have also been equipped with drone detector devices.

Experts say that the adaptations and lessons from cities like Nikopol could inform the future of Western defense. Ukraine’s military and civil society have become the experts among Western allies, while Russia and Iran have developed their own capabilities.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.