Russian aerial attack on Ukraine kills 12 after largest-ever prisoner swap between nations

A massive wave of Russian drone and missile strikes targeted Kyiv and several other regions across Ukraine overnight, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more, as per reports.

According to Ukrainian authorities, this was the most extensive aerial assault since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, reportedly stated that Russian forces launched a total of 367 aerial weapons, including 69 missiles of various types and 298 drones, many of which were Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

The attack came during the third day of a coordinated prisoner exchange between the two countries – a rare instance of cooperation amid ongoing hostilities. The exchanges were part of an agreement reached earlier this month during peace talks in Istanbul.

Largest prisoner swap completed since war began

In related development, Russia and Ukraine on Sunday concluded what officials described as their largest prisoner swap to date, exchanging 303 captives each, according to official statements from both sides.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that 303 Russian servicemen were returned from Ukrainian-controlled areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed the return of 303 Ukrainian personnel, including members of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service.

The freed Russian soldiers were transported to Belarus, where they are reportedly receiving medical and psychological support, according to Russian officials.

The three-day operation followed a direct agreement reached in Istanbul on May 16, during which both sides pledged to exchange 1,000 prisoners each. This latest round of swaps included 270 soldiers and 120 civilians on Friday, followed by a 307-for-307 military personnel exchange on Saturday.

Ukraine’s Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said this marked the 65th prisoner swap since the war began and the sixth conducted in 2025.

While the prisoner exchange offered a brief moment of diplomacy, the deadly air assault underscored the ongoing violence and the fragile nature of the situation on the ground.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)