Airstrikes Ravage Kyiv: Over a Dozen Killed as Russia Stages Massive Assault on Ukraine's Capital City
In a significant escalation, Russia launched one of the biggest aerial attacks on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, since the war began. The assault, which took place hours after a prisoner exchange deal was reached, utilized missiles and drones, resulting in at least twelve civilian deaths in the Kyiv region overnight on May 25, as reported by Ukrainian officials.
In addition to Kyiv, Russian strikes extended to several regional centers, including Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv in the south, and Ternopil in the west. Russian troops also claimed capture of two settlements in the Donetsk region and one in the northern region of Sumy, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Ukrainian forces allegedly struck Russia's Migalovo Airbase, located near Moscow, resulting in multiple explosions. The base houses a number of Russian heavy transport aircraft.
In response to the Russian attacks, Ukraine's air force stated that 298 Iranian-made drones and 69 missiles were launched during the overnight assault, which Ukrainian defenses managed to down 266 drones and 45 missiles.
Russian authorities have accused Ukraine of launching drone and missile attacks against them since Tuesday, claiming there have been 788 such incidents. Restrictions have been imposed on at least four airports, including the main hub Sheremetyevo, in Moscow.
Despite the escalation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for more sanctions on Moscow in pursuit of a ceasefire. He also emphasized the prisoner exchange agreed during the talks in Istanbul would continue, following the successful exchange of 307 Russian POWs for the same number of Ukrainian soldiers.
This prisoner exchange deal represents the largest since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. An additional 1,000 prisoners are expected to be exchanged in total.
Notably, Ukraine was reported to have conducted their own drone strikes against Russian defense industrial sites in several oblasts, targeting drone production and chemical facilities.
The continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in a surge in violence and intensified diplomatic efforts to secure a breakthrough in peace negotiations. More updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
[1] Ukrainian Air Force statement, May 26, 2025.[2] Ukrainian Ministry of Defense statement, May 26, 2025.[3] Reuters, May 26, 2025.
- The war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine have led to a rise in general-news, with car-accidents, crime-and-justice, and political developments also being reported frequently.
- In the realm of politics, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging stronger sanctions on Moscow as a means to achieve a ceasefire, while simultaneously facilitating prisoner exchanges.
- Apart from military attacks, there have been reports of Ukraine targeting Russian defense industrial sites using drone strikes, affecting drone production and chemical facilities.
