Ukrainian servicemen prepare the Flakpanzer Gepard, a German-made self-propelled anti-aircraft (SPAAG) vehicle, for combat duty in the Kyiv region amid an uptick in Russian attacks on the country. Russia launched a massive wave of deadly overnight strikes on its neighbour, firing almost 90 missiles and more than 60 Iranian-designed kamikaze drones. "I cannot understand what their goals are. This is not a war, but the destruction of our Ukrainian nation," says a 29-year-old soldier with the call name 'Musya'. Ukraine has struggled with shortages of both air defences and ammunition on the ground, as a vital $60-billion military aid package is currently help up in the US Congress. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES