Ukrainian Air Force: The main target of Russian strikes overnight was the capital, Kyiv

Ukrainian Air Force: The main target of Russian strikes overnight was the capital, Kyiv

Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, was the primary target of Russia's overnight missile and drone strikes, according to the Ukrainian Air Force and local officials. The attacks, which occurred hours after a significant prisoner exchange between the two countries, resulted in multiple explosions and fires across the city.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched a record number of drones, including Shahed attack drones, targeting the central Kyiv region and Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions in the east. By 08:00 Sunday (05:00 GMT), Russia had launched 273 drones, with 88 intercepted and another 128 going astray without causing significant damage [2].

The strikes resulted in at least eight people injured and several buildings damaged, including a five-story building in the Solomianskyi district where a fire broke out. In the Obolonskyi district, a nine-story residential building's balconies were set on fire. Additionally, a 54-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman were injured by a Russian drone in nearby Brovary [1].

The attacks came just a day before a scheduled call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The prisoner swap, which saw 390 POWs released from each side, was the first phase of a larger agreement reached during a meeting in Turkey. However, the exchange did not lead to a cessation of hostilities [3].

The Ukrainian government has accused Russia of using the prisoner swap as a cover for its ongoing military operations. Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that "For Russia, the negotiations [on Friday] in Istanbul are just a pretence. Putin wants war" [2].

The attacks underscore the ongoing tensions and the lack of progress in peace negotiations. Despite international pressure for a ceasefire, Russia has continued its military operations, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation. As the war enters its fourth year, the impact on the Ukrainian economy and the global financial markets remains a significant concern.

References:

[1] https://eaworldview.com/2025/05/ukraine-war-kyiv-russia-attacks-missiles-and-drones/
[2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ldm42eyzmo
[3] https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/kyiv-large-scale-russian-drone-missile-attack-explosions-122134004