Saturday, May 24, 2025 — Kyiv, Ukraine
Ukraine’s capital was rocked overnight by one of the most intense Russian attacks in months, as a wave of drones and ballistic missiles targeted multiple neighborhoods. The assault came just as Russia and Ukraine completed one of their largest prisoner exchanges since the war began.

According to Ukrainian officials, the capital endured a sustained bombardment that lasted more than seven hours. The city’s air defense systems were pushed to their limits, intercepting a reported 6 missiles and 245 drones out of an estimated 250 launched. The attack left at least 15 people injured and caused significant damage in several districts.

The Kyiv City Military Administration described the incident as one of the largest combined aerial assaults on the city since the beginning of the war. Drones and missiles targeted civilian infrastructure, with debris falling on residential buildings and public areas.

Mayor Vitalii Klitschko warned residents shortly before the attack that more than 20 Russian strike drones were approaching. Soon after, explosions echoed across the city as emergency alerts sounded and residents sought shelter underground.

In the Obolon district, a residential building and a shopping mall were struck. Fires broke out in the Solomianskyi neighborhood, where six people required medical attention. Debris also landed in four other city districts, with widespread reports of shattered windows, damaged balconies, and smoke-filled streets.

Yurii Bondarchuk, a local resident, described the moment his apartment was hit. “The air raid siren started as usual, then the drones came. A boom followed, and glass shattered everywhere,” he said. “The balcony is gone, and the doors are blown out.” Firefighters worked through the night to control the blazes.

Ironically, the attack coincided with a rare moment of diplomatic cooperation. On Friday and Saturday, Russia and Ukraine completed a two-phase prisoner exchange, freeing hundreds of soldiers and civilians held on both sides.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a total of 697 Ukrainians were returned over two days—390 on Friday and 307 more on Saturday. The operation marks the largest such exchange of the war and is being viewed as a humanitarian breakthrough amid continued fighting.

Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that it also received 307 of its captured soldiers, many of whom are being routed through Belarus.

The exchange was the result of negotiations in Istanbul last week—the first high-level talks between the two nations since 2022. Both countries agreed to a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap, one of the few outcomes from otherwise stagnant peace efforts.

While the prisoner deal provides a sliver of hope, European leaders have voiced skepticism about Russia’s intentions. Some see the timing of the assault on Kyiv as a strategic move designed to undermine any sense of real progress at the negotiating table.

Earlier this week, EU officials accused President Vladimir Putin of deliberately stalling peace efforts while attempting to gain ground militarily. On Tuesday, the European Union announced its 17th sanctions package against Russia, aimed at cutting off access to military technology and targeting the country’s energy revenues.

Brussels called the sanctions the most comprehensive yet and reiterated that any meaningful resolution must include at least a temporary ceasefire—something Ukraine and its Western allies have demanded, but which Moscow has so far resisted.

For residents of Kyiv, the return of fellow citizens from captivity brought relief, but the ongoing reality of missile strikes and drone attacks keeps fear close at hand. Many took shelter in subway stations overnight, huddling as blasts shook the city above.

The attacks also demonstrate the growing reliance on drones in this phase of the war. Ukraine’s increasing use of electronic warfare helped neutralize 117 of the incoming drones, a testament to their evolving defense capabilities. But the damage from the remaining strikes underscores how vulnerable civilian life remains.

The prisoner swap, while significant, remains an isolated act of coordination in a war that has now lasted more than three years. With both sides entrenched and battlefield dynamics constantly shifting, hopes for a wider ceasefire or peace agreement remain distant.

Still, some analysts view the Istanbul deal as a potential starting point for renewed negotiations. Others caution that unless both sides are willing to make more substantial concessions, the conflict will continue to escalate.

For now, Kyiv continues to brace for what comes next—its residents grateful for small victories, but deeply aware of the costs.