24th May 2025 – (Kyiv) A significant Russian drone and missile assault targeted Kyiv on Saturday, resulting in at least 15 people sustaining injuries, as Russia and Ukraine engaged in the largest prisoner exchange since Moscow’s invasion commenced. Ukraine’s air force disclosed that Russia launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 attack drones during the night, with six missiles and 245 drones intercepted by Ukrainian defences. Kyiv bore the brunt of the assault, as stated by the air force in an official communication.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underscored that Moscow’s relentless attacks affirm the prolongation of the conflict, advocating for intensified sanctions on key sectors of the Russian economy to compel a ceasefire.
Reports from Kyiv city officials highlighted fires and debris scattered across various parts of the capital following audible explosions overnight. Apart from the injuries in Kyiv, five civilians lost their lives in Russian strikes in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.
Simultaneously, the Russian military asserted that Ukraine targeted them with 788 drones and missiles since Tuesday, with several drones aimed at Moscow intercepted in recent days.
The assault on Kyiv transpired following the completion of the initial phase of a prisoner swap agreed upon during discussions in Istanbul last week, with the second stage scheduled for Saturday. Russia’s defence ministry confirmed the exchange of 307 prisoners of war by each side through Belarus, a key ally of the Kremlin.
The ongoing exchange is anticipated to involve a total of 1,000 individuals from both sides, with psychological and medical support arranged for the Russian prisoners before their return to Russia.
While the terms for a peace settlement are expected to be proposed by Russia post-swap, the specifics of these terms remain undisclosed. The prisoner exchange, unprecedented in scale, marks a significant development in the conflict between the two nations.
The emotional reunions witnessed during the exchange underscored the human toll of the conflict, with released soldiers greeted by tearful relatives and well-wishers. The poignant scenes captured the soldiers’ expressions of relief and joy upon regaining freedom after enduring captivity.
Despite diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict intensifying, the Kremlin’s steadfast stance on maximalist demands for cessation of hostilities has impeded progress towards a comprehensive ceasefire. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unwavering pursuit of the offensive in Ukraine continues to defy international calls for a complete truce, underscoring the protracted nature of the conflict and its devastating consequences.