Devastating Airstrikes Claim Multiple Lives as Ukraine, Russia Exchange Prisoners
A brutal night of bombardment has left at least 12 people dead and many more injured, according to officials, as Ukraine and Russia continue to exchange fire amidst a significant prisoner swap.
The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was among the areas targeted, with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirming that the city’s air defenses were actively engaged.
The latest casualties include three children, aged 8, 12, and 17, who lost their lives in the northwestern region of Zhytomyr.
Four people were also killed in the western Khmelnytskyi region, while the Kyiv region reported four fatalities and the southern city of Mykolaiv reported one.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned the Russian attacks, stating that they indicate a desire to prolong the conflict.
Despite this, he expressed hope that the prisoner exchange, which has already seen the release of over 600 individuals, would continue.
The swap is expected to involve the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side.
As the prisoner exchange progresses, diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire are ongoing. US President Donald Trump has congratulated both countries on the swap, suggesting that it could be a significant step towards a larger resolution.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no signs of backing down from his demands for a negotiated peace, despite European pressure for a full and unconditional truce.
The conflict has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, with both sides holding thousands of prisoners of war.
The Russian military has reported downing a dozen drones flying towards Moscow, while Ukrainian authorities have shot down numerous Russian missiles and drones.
The prisoner exchange has brought joy to some families, with formerly captive soldiers returning home after years in captivity. Konstantin Steblev, a 31-year-old soldier, described his release as “crazy feelings,” while Viktor Syvak, a 58-year-old soldier, struggled to express the emotions of his homecoming after 37 months and 12 days in captivity.
