Articles in this Cluster
25-05-2025
Russia launched a "massive" drone and missile attack on Kyiv, injuring at least 11 people and killing three in surrounding towns. The attack came after Moscow was targeted, and amid failed peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for sanctions on Russia, stating it is "dragging out the war" and filling each day with "horror and murder". The attack was part of ongoing nightly Russian assaults on Ukraine, which have continued despite recent prisoner exchanges and diplomatic efforts.
25-05-2025
At least eight people have been killed and over 30 injured across Ukraine in overnight Russian drone and missile attacks. Four deaths were reported in the western Khmelnytskyi region, three in the Kyiv region, and one in the southern city of Mykolaiv. The attacks damaged residential buildings, with multiple fires and hundreds sheltering in underground metro stations in Kyiv. In response, Russia's defence ministry reported shooting down 95 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions, including Moscow, with no casualties reported.
25-05-2025
Russia and Ukraine exchanged 307 prisoners each on Saturday, a day after releasing 390 combatants and civilians, as part of a major swap, with further releases expected. The exchange occurred despite ongoing airstrikes on Kyiv, with Russia launching a large-scale drone and missile attack on Saturday that injured at least 15 people, and another attack on Sunday that injured at least 10. The prisoner swap is part of a deal to exchange 1,000 prisoners from each side, agreed upon in talks held in Istanbul earlier this month. The fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues, with both sides remaining far apart on key conditions for ending the conflict.
25-05-2025
President Trump stated that a large prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine "could lead to something big," potentially advancing international diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. The swap, which involved exchanging prisoners of war and civilians, was reported to be ongoing, with Russia's Ministry of Defense confirming the exchange of 270 prisoners of war and 120 civilians. Trump had previously held phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describing the tone as "excellent" and stating that negotiations toward a ceasefire would begin immediately.
25-05-2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that hundreds of Ukrainian prisoners were released in a swap with Russia, stating that the "first stage of the '1000-for-1000' exchange agreement has been carried out" and that 390 people were returned on Friday, with more expected to be released on Saturday and Sunday. The swap occurred at the border between Belarus and Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of returning all Ukrainians remaining in captivity and thanked those working to bring them home.
25-05-2025
Russian forces are gathering near Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, after pushing Ukrainian troops out of Kursk. Analysts believe Russia has a "four-month window" to break through Ukrainian forces before the weather turns and its Soviet tank stocks run low. The troops gathering near Kharkiv may include elite soldiers from the VDV airborne unit, but it's unclear if they're preparing for a major attack on the city, considered a "fortress," or surrounding areas. Military experts think Russia may "soft launch" its offensive with a steady increase in assaults across a broadening area, rather than a rapid mechanized attack, due to its limited force quality. Russia's ability to replace losses is expected to be severely hindered by autumn due to dwindling Soviet-era equipment stockpiles.
