Russia Launches Major Overnight Attack on Ukraine
Russia launched a sweeping overnight air assault on Ukraine, killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens, primarily in the capital Kyiv, amid a series of prisoner exchange operations between the two nations.
According to Ukrainian regional officials:
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4 killed in Donetsk
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5 killed in Kherson and Odesa
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4 killed in Kharkiv
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russian forces deployed 14 ballistic missiles and 250 attack drones in the large-scale attack, with the majority aimed at Kyiv. The country’s air defense intercepted 6 missiles and 245 drones, but the damage was significant.
“It was a difficult night for all of Ukraine,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressing condolences on Telegram.
Kyiv Suffers Fires and Damage Amid Chaos
In Kyiv, more than 18 people were injured. Residential buildings were damaged, fires broke out, and streets were strewn with debris following a barrage of explosions and air raid sirens. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed multiple sites of destruction and emergency responses.
Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik described the night as “terrifying,” saying,
“It felt honestly like Armageddon.”
Prisoner Swap Continues Despite Bombardment
The airstrikes came as both sides executed the second phase of a historic prisoner exchange, the largest since the war began in 2022.
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600+ prisoners were released Saturday
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Almost 800 were freed in the first phase on Friday
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A total of 2,000 prisoners are to be exchanged under the current deal
Footage from the Ukrainian Coordination Center for POWs showed emotional reunions as prisoners wrapped in Ukrainian flags contacted loved ones.
Aftermath of Istanbul Talks
Despite a tentative agreement reached during last week’s Istanbul summit, Russia has not submitted any formal peace proposal. Instead, it continues air and drone strikes on civilian regions.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commented:
“One week has passed since the Istanbul meeting, and Russia has yet to send its ‘peace memorandum.’ Instead, Russia sends deadly drones and missiles.”
Russia Reports Ukrainian UAV Attacks
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed it intercepted 94 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions, including Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Lipetsk, Voronezh, and Tula. In Tula, three people were reportedly injured, two of them hospitalized.
