Ukraine was under attack for the second consecutive night from Russia, according to the authorities. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia deployed 14 ballistic missiles and 250 attack drones during the previous night’s operation. Their defence systems successfully intercepted six missiles and 245 drones.Tymur Tkachenko, who heads Kyiv’s military administration, confirmed that “more than a dozen enemy drones” were detected in the capital’s airspace early Sunday. He noted that while some drones had been neutralised, new ones continued to enter the capital’s vicinity.“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,” he wrote on Telegram.He cautioned that the night would be challenging, warning of possible extensive drone and missile attacks from strategic aircraft. Reports indicated that debris impacted a five-storey residential structure.Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the ongoing attack whilst noting active air defences, urging citizens to remain in shelters.These consecutive overnight assaults occurred alongside the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine since the commencement of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.In a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was a “large-scale and vile Russian attack.” He also said that Russia fills each day with horror and murder, it’s simply dragging out the war. All of this demands a response — a strong response from the United States, from Europe, and from everyone in the world who wants this war to end.“Putin has refused to cease fire repeatedly. It gains him nothing, except taking lives every single day. Every day gives new grounds for sanctions against Russia. Every day proves that without pressure on Russia, the war will continue. Ukraine is ready for any form of diplomacy that delivers real results. We are ready for all steps that can guarantee true security. It is Russia that is not ready for anything,” he said. The exchange involved 307 Russian prisoners of war traded for an equal number of Ukrainian soldiers, as confirmed by both Kyiv and Moscow. The initial phase of this substantial exchange, conducted on Friday, included 270 soldiers and civilians from each side.
