Ukraine reels from largest Russian aerial attack yet, 13 dead as prisoner swap continues

In what Ukraine called the largest aerial assault of the war so far, Russian forces launched 367 drones and missiles overnight, killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens across multiple cities. The attacks targeted residential buildings and infrastructure in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Ternopil, and Khmelnytskyi, with children among the dead and widespread destruction reported.

Ukraine’s air force intercepted 266 drones and 45 missiles, but many still got through. A residential building in Mykolaiv was heavily damaged, with a 77-year-old man killed and several others wounded. In Zhytomyr, three children lost their lives, while Kyiv alone reported 11 injuries from falling debris and explosions. Khmelnytskyi saw four deaths and significant damage to energy facilities.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reacted sharply, criticising the lack of firm international response — particularly from the United States under President Trump. He called for new sanctions on Russia, stating that continued silence and inaction only embolden Moscow. “Every such terrorist Russian strike is reason enough for new sanctions,” he wrote on Telegram.

Russia, meanwhile, claimed it intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones, including 12 near Moscow, and showed no signs of letting up despite calls for de-escalation. As the attacks continue, Ukraine is pushing for a 30-day ceasefire to initiate peace talks. Amid the violence, both nations completed a prisoner exchange, swapping 1,000 people each — a rare gesture of cooperation amid escalating destruction.