In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia has launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, marking one of the most aggressive bombardments since the conflict began over three years ago. The assault came shortly after the commencement of a prisoner exchange deal between the two nations.
The campaign is viewed as a retaliatory measure following several days of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territories, including Moscow. The attacks on Kyiv were first reported around 10 p.m. on Friday, with subsequent waves following at 1 a.m. and later in the morning, spreading panic and destruction across the city.
According to CNN, the attacks resulted in 13 fatalities and left many injured across several Ukrainian regions. These casualties were distributed in areas including the eastern Donetsk region, as well as the southern Kherson and Odesa regions, with additional losses reported in the northern Kharkiv region. At least 15 people required medical assistance in Kyiv, among them two children.
Ukrainian air defenses were active, intercepting six missiles and neutralizing 245 drones before they reached Kyiv, though projectiles managed to hit multiple locations including Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed outrage on social media, noting the extensive use of Iranian-made Shahed drones in the assault. Zelensky highlighted the indiscriminate targeting of civilians, extending condolences to the bereaved families and calling for intensifying international sanctions against Russia to enforce a cease-fire.
Zelensky's statement pointed towards a growing international consensus that the perpetuation of the conflict stems from actions by Moscow. He reiterated Ukraine's proposals for both full and aerial cease-fires, which have been consistently disregarded by Russian authorities. Zelensky stressed the urgent need for enhanced pressure from international partners, notably the United States and Europe, urging them to impose more stringent sanctions on Russia's key economic sectors.
The civilian distress was palpable, as residents took refuge in Kyiv's subway stations during an air raid alert that lasted more than seven hours. A fire broke out in a five-story building in the Solomianskyi district of Kyiv, exacerbating the chaos and necessitating medical aid for seven individuals. A local resident described the scenes as "terrorism," emphasizing the apparent disparity between Ukraine’s military targets and the civilian sites struck by Russian forces.
Simultaneously, the much-anticipated prisoner swap proceeded, albeit under a cloud of continued conflict. The exchange involved 1,000 detainees, embracing both military personnel and civilians. This operation is part of a phased agreement initiated in Istanbul, with further steps awaited from both sides to solidify a more expansive cease-fire arrangement.
Despite the spiraling violence, Russia claims the interception of Ukrainian drones over its territory and is poised to present a draft text outlining conditions for a future truce after completing the prisoner swap process.
The escalation highlights the complex matrix of war dynamics, prisoner negotiations, and geopolitical maneuvering. It underscores the enduring tension in this region that continues to draw intense global scrutiny and diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a lasting resolution.