Kyiv Hit by Massive Russian Drone and Missile Assault Amid Largest Prisoner Swap of War
- Victor Nwoko
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, came under a massive Russian drone and missile attack early Saturday, sending shockwaves through the city as explosions and machine gun fire echoed throughout the night. Residents were forced to seek shelter in underground subway stations as the aerial assault unfolded.
The attack came just hours after Ukraine and Russia began the largest prisoner exchange of the war, swapping hundreds of soldiers and civilians in what appears to be the first phase of a broader agreement reached during talks in Istanbul last week. Despite the temporary cooperation on prisoner releases, the assault on Kyiv underscored the continued intensity of the conflict.
Missile and drone debris from the Russian barrage fell across at least four districts of Kyiv, according to Tymur Tkachenko, acting head of the city’s military administration. Six civilians required medical attention following the attack, and fires were reported in the Solomianskyi district.
Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko issued an early warning before the attack, alerting residents that more than 20 Russian strike drones were en route. As the barrage continued, Klitschko confirmed that falling debris damaged a shopping mall and a residential building in the Obolon district. Emergency response teams were deployed to the affected areas.
The drone and missile assault followed the first phase of a complex prisoner exchange involving 1,000 captives from each side. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the return of 390 Ukrainians in this initial phase, with further releases expected over the weekend. Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that it received an equal number of detainees from Ukraine.
The exchange took place at the Belarusian border, with the released Russian prisoners transported to Belarus for medical care. Family members of those detained gathered at the facility, calling out the names and brigade numbers of loved ones in search of news.
This latest swap marks the largest exchange of Ukrainian civilians to date and reflects the numerous prisoner trades conducted since the war began. However, it has not signaled any reduction in hostilities.
Fighting continues across the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, with both sides maintaining deep-strike operations and heavy casualties. The recent Istanbul meeting, described by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as a “confidence-building measure,” has yet to lead to substantial diplomatic progress. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that no venue has been set for the next round of peace talks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow intends to present Ukraine with a draft proposal for a “sustainable, long-term, comprehensive” peace agreement following the completion of the prisoner swap. Meanwhile, European leaders have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling peace efforts to gain more ground on the battlefield.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 175 Shahed drones, decoy drones, and a ballistic missile since late Thursday. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it intercepted 788 Ukrainian drones between May 20 and May 23, though these figures could not be independently verified.
Despite momentary collaboration on the humanitarian front, the deep divide between the two nations remains stark as the third year of war continues with no ceasefire in sight.
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