The strikes have also turned deadly. Local officials said two civilians were killed during overnight drone raids, and media reports suggest Moscow may let postal workers carry anti‑drone weapons to protect deliveries.

Tatiana, a 66‑year‑old resident, told reporters that the constant drone noise and the sight of smoke over her dacha have made her family very anxious. She even tells her grandchildren that the night sounds are just construction work to keep them calm.

Ksenia, a 41‑year‑old single mother working for the civil service in Moscow, says the drones themselves do not frighten her, but the resulting rise in fuel prices and the difficulty of covering everyday expenses are a growing worry.

An August poll by the Levada Center, which interviewed 1,600 people by video call, found that about one‑quarter of respondents felt tension and fear, nearly 60 % said their mood was normal, and one‑third reported that the fuel shortage had seriously affected their lives.

To ease the shortage, the Russian government has started importing fuel from countries such as India and has promoted the GdeBENZ app, which helps drivers locate stations that still have gasoline.

These developments show how a modern drone campaign can move a war far beyond the battlefield, turning ordinary tasks like filling a car or paying bills into sources of stress for ordinary Russians.