On May 24 (local time), the second day of a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, both sides carried out large-scale drone attacks against each other.
On May 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that Russia had launched 300 attack drones and 70 missiles overnight, targeting more than 30 cities and towns, including the capital Kyiv.
According to dpa, AP, and other news agencies, this was the largest single-day drone attack since the war began in February 2022. At least 12 people were killed and dozens were injured across Ukraine as a result of the attacks. Among the fatalities were children.
President Zelensky criticized, "Such acts of terror by Russia are sufficient grounds for new sanctions," and added, "Russia is dragging out the war and killing people every day." He further stated, "The silence from the United States and other countries around the world only encourages Putin," urging, "What is important now is decisive action from the United States, European countries, and all nations that seek peace."
Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, mourned the victims of the Russian airstrikes and stated, "The strongest possible international pressure is needed to make Russia end this war."
On the same day, Moscow, the capital of Russia, was also targeted by a Ukrainian drone attack. Russian aviation authorities restricted flights at at least four airports, including Sheremetyevo, Moscow's main hub. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 12 drones heading toward Moscow were intercepted.
The Ukrainian military stated that, during the night of May 23 to 24, Russia had also launched 14 missiles and 250 drones. These attacks resulted in at least 13 civilian deaths and 56 injuries in various locations, including Kyiv and Odesa. During the same period, Russia reported that Ukraine had conducted airstrikes mainly targeting the Belgorod region, and claimed to have intercepted 94 drones.
Although both countries began exchanging prisoners of war on May 23 as agreed in Istanbul, T?rkiye, on May 16, they continued to carry out large-scale airstrikes. Under this agreement, each side was to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war, including both civilians and military personnel. While the negotiations confirmed disagreements over ceasefire terms, the two sides reached their only agreement on the prisoner swap. This was the largest such exchange to date. The implementation of the agreement was completed as 390 prisoners were repatriated on May 23, 307 on May 24, and 303 on the day in question.
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