2025-05-25T00:03:00Z

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Ukraine has been subjected to a relentless wave of attacks from Russia, marking the second night of aerial bombardments as confirmed by Ukrainian authorities. In a shocking escalation, Ukraine's air force disclosed that Russia launched a total of 14 ballistic missiles and a staggering 250 attack drones during its recent offensive. Remarkably, the nation’s defense systems demonstrated their efficacy by successfully intercepting six of those missiles and an impressive 245 drones, reflecting the ongoing commitment to safeguarding Ukrainian airspace.

Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, provided an update on the situation, revealing that "more than a dozen enemy drones" were detected within the airspace of the capital early Sunday morning. He pointed out that while some of these drones had already been neutralized, new threats continued to approach Kyiv. Tkachenko emphasized this point in a message shared on Telegram, stating, "New ones are also approaching. Some of the drones over Kyiv and the surrounding area have already been dealt with. But the new ones are still entering the capital." This ongoing threat prompted him to caution citizens, indicating that the night would be particularly challenging due to the potential for extensive drone and missile attacks from Russian strategic bombers.

In a concerning development, reports indicated that debris from the assaults impacted a five-storey residential building, underscoring the civilian risk involved in these military actions. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed the ongoing assault and acknowledged the active air defenses in place, urging residents to remain in shelters for their safety during this perilous period.

This series of nighttime assaults coincides with what has become the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine since the onset of Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022. In a statement on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the attacks as a "large-scale and vile Russian attack," asserting that Russia has filled each day with horror and violence, effectively prolonging the war. He emphasized that such relentless aggression requires a response—specifically, a robust response from the United States, Europe, and every global entity that seeks an end to this conflict.

Zelenskyy criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for his refusal to consider a ceasefire, arguing that this stance yields nothing beneficial for Russia other than the continued loss of life. He asserted that every passing day creates fresh grounds for imposing sanctions against Russia, reinforcing the notion that without international pressure, the war is destined to persist. Furthermore, he proclaimed that Ukraine is prepared for any diplomatic avenues that yield genuine results and ensures true security, while lamenting that it is Russia that remains obstinately unprepared for constructive dialogue.

The recently executed prisoner exchange involved a total of 307 Russian prisoners of war being traded for an equal number of Ukrainian soldiers, a development confirmed by both Kyiv and Moscow. The initial phase of this considerable exchange occurred on Friday, involving 270 soldiers and civilians from both sides, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflict.