KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — On Sunday, Russia and Ukraine completed a significant prisoner exchange, marking a rare moment of cooperation amid ongoing hostilities that have persisted for over three years. This exchange involved the transfer of 303 soldiers from each side, following a series of exchanges that included 307 combatants and civilians on Saturday and 390 on Friday, culminating in the largest total prisoner swap since the start of the war.
Despite the relatively positive news surrounding the prisoner exchange, the day was overshadowed by a massive Russian drone-and-missile attack on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine, which resulted in at least 12 fatalities and numerous injuries. Ukrainian officials characterized this assault as the largest aerial attack since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat reported that Russia deployed 367 drones and missiles, including 69 different types of missiles and 298 drones, primarily Iranian-made Shahed models.
Several cities, including Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Odesa, faced severe assaults that lasted through the night. Ukrainian air defenses worked tirelessly to repel the attacks, with Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirming that air defense forces were actively combating enemy drones. However, despite these efforts, residential areas were struck, leading to significant destruction and loss of life. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described it as a "difficult Sunday morning in Ukraine after a sleepless night," emphasizing the unrelenting scale of the attacks.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the success of the prisoner exchange on social media, celebrating the return of 303 Ukrainian defenders and emphasizing the involvement of various military and security services, including the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Special Transport Service. The emotional toll on families of the released prisoners was evident, with stories emerging of relatives anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones. Nataliya Borovyk, the sister of one released soldier, described her overwhelming relief and joy upon learning of her brother's return.
The backdrop of the prisoner exchange involved a recent meeting in Istanbul, where both Ukraine and Russia agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners of war and civilian detainees each. However, this agreement has not translated into a ceasefire, as fighting continued along the extensive front lines of roughly 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). Reports indicated ongoing battles, while Russian officials claimed advancements in several regions of Ukraine, including the northeastern Sumy region.
In reaction to the strikes, Zelenskyy urged the international community, particularly Western allies, to impose more stringent sanctions on Russia. He voiced concerns that the lack of decisive action would only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin. Former U.S. President Donald Trump also voiced frustrations regarding Putin’s actions, calling them "crazy" while expressing impatience with the situation in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, condemned the assaults as clear violations of international law.
The devastation from the aerial attacks was remarkable, with entire villages, such as Markhalivka near Kyiv, left in ruins. Residents compared their hometowns to some of the most war-torn cities in Ukraine, expressing deep sadness over the destruction. The relentless fighting and airstrikes have continued to inflict heavy casualties on both military personnel and civilians alike, demonstrating the enduring human cost of this conflict.
