Ukraine Endures Largest Aerial Assault of War Amid Major Prisoner Swap

Ukraine faced its worst aerial assault since the beginning of the war, as Russia launched a record-breaking 367 drones and missiles across the country in a brutal overnight attack. The Ukrainian air force reported that 298 drones and 69 missiles were fired, targeting multiple cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Ternopil. Ukrainian defenses intercepted 266 drones and 45 missiles, but the scale and ferocity of the assault left widespread damage and casualties.

The death toll reached at least 12, including three children in Zhytomyr, while over 60 people were injured. The Interior Minister of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, described the strike as a “combined, ruthless attack aimed at civilians,” adding that it was meant to “spread fear and death.” In Kyiv, 11 people were injured but no deaths were reported, although four were killed in surrounding regions.

This attack marked the second consecutive night of heavy aerial bombardment, with Russia having previously launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones the night before. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, condemned the silence of the international community, particularly the United States, urging stronger sanctions and more decisive action. “The silence of America... only encourages Putin,” Zelensky stated, reinforcing the need for sustained pressure on Moscow.

The airstrikes coincided with the largest prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia since the war began in February 2022. Over the course of three days, 1,000 captives from each side were exchanged in an agreement brokered during talks in Istanbul. The return of emaciated but joyful Ukrainian soldiers was a rare moment of hope amid devastation. Many had been held in captivity for over three years, including 58-year-old Viktor Syvak, who described his release as an indescribably emotional moment.

Despite these developments, calls for a ceasefire and peace negotiations remain stalled. The U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, labeled the attack as a “clear violation of the 1977 Geneva Peace Protocols” and demanded an immediate ceasefire. However, U.S. President Donald Trump’s reluctance to impose additional sanctions has hampered international efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

Meanwhile, Russia claimed its attacks were directed at Ukraine's military-industrial infrastructure, while also intercepting 95 Ukrainian drones. With attacks reaching even distant western regions, Ukraine continues to bear the brunt of an unrelenting conflict.