Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv injures at least 15 during prisoner swap with Ukraine

Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv injures at least 15 during prisoner swap with Ukraine

Kyiv, Ukraine — In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a large-scale drone and missile attack on Kyiv injured at least 15 people overnight into Saturday. The attack occurred just hours after the start of a major prisoner exchange between the two nations, marking the first phase of an agreement reached in Istanbul last week.

The drone and missile assault, which involved at least 20 strike drones heading towards Kyiv, resulted in multiple fires and debris scattered across several districts of the city. According to city mayor Vitali Klitschko, two residents required hospital treatment, and six people required medical care after the attack. The debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in at least four city districts, with explosions and loud sirens heard across the capital.

The prisoner swap, which began on Friday, is expected to continue over the weekend and will involve the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side. The first phase of the swap, which took place on Friday, brought home 390 Ukrainians, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The released Russians were taken to Belarus for medical treatment, as per a Ukrainian official [4].

This prisoner swap is the largest of its kind since the start of the war and follows high-level talks held last week in Istanbul, marking the first direct peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv since 2022. The agreement to release 1,000 prisoners on each side was the only significant outcome of the meeting between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul last week [2, 3].

The prisoner swap is being seen as a rare instance of cooperation between the two nations, despite ongoing skepticism from Ukraine regarding Russia's intentions. Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of dragging out peace negotiations and using talks to buy time and regroup militarily [3].

This attack comes amidst a broader context of escalating tensions and ongoing military operations. The prisoner swap is a significant development, but the conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains complex and fluid, with no immediate resolution in sight.

References:
[1] Kyiv Independent. "Ukraine denies Trump's claim that POW swap completed." [URL](https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-denies-trumps-claim-that-pow-swap-completed-source-says/)
[2] CNN. "Russia and Ukraine swap prisoners after Kyiv drone attack." [URL](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/24/europe/russia-ukraine-kyiv-attack-prisoner-swap-intl-hnk)
[3] Business Standard. "Russia and Ukraine complete largest prisoner exchange of war." [URL](https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-prisoner-swap-trump-1000-exchange-istanbul-talks-trump-putin-125052301062_1.html)
[4] France 24. "Kyiv hit by large-scale drone attack as Russia and Ukraine set to continue prisoner swap." [URL](https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250524-kyiv-hit-by-large-scale-drone-attack-as-russia-ukraine-set-to-continue-prisoner-swap)