A significant Russian drone and missile assault struck multiple areas in Ukraine overnight, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including three children, and leaving dozens more injured. This attack marks a continuation of hostilities, occurring just hours before Russia and Ukraine completed a prisoner exchange, the only notable achievement from ongoing peace discussions that have yet to yield a ceasefire.
Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, expressed her outrage on social media, describing the attacks as "another night of terror" and highlighting that the targets were civilian homes and families. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 298 drones and 69 missiles, making it one of the largest aerial assaults since the conflict began in February 2022. Ukrainian forces managed to intercept and destroy 266 drones and 45 missiles.
In Kyiv, the city administration urged residents to seek shelter as explosions echoed throughout the night. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko described the situation as a "massive" attack, noting that a student dormitory was hit and a private house was destroyed in another district. Reports indicated that at least four fatalities occurred in the capital alone.
The violence extended beyond Kyiv, with drone strikes in Mykolaiv hitting a residential building, resulting in one death and five injuries. In Zhytomyr, three children aged 8, 12, and 17 were among the casualties. In addition, four people died in Khmelnytskyi, and multiple injuries were reported across various regions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and called for increased international pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. He stressed that silence from global leaders only emboldens Putin’s aggression. Zelenskyy thanked emergency responders who were active in 30 towns and villages across Ukraine, emphasizing the need for continued support and action against Russia’s military actions.
Despite the violence, the prisoner exchange proceeded, with both nations swapping a total of 1,000 prisoners over three days, highlighting a rare moment of cooperation amidst the ongoing conflict. The exchange included a mix of military personnel and civilians, with 303 prisoners exchanged on the final day.
As the war continues, the toll on both military personnel and civilians remains severe, with tens of thousands reported dead or injured. The situation in Ukraine remains dire as the conflict shows no signs of abating, leaving many to call for urgent international action and support.