Deals & Destruction: Russia Strikes Kyiv After Rare Exchange

In a jarring display of the ongoing conflict’s brutal nature, Russia unleashed a significant missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, in the early hours of Saturday, May 24, 2025. This large-scale aerial attack, which included both ballistic missiles and a substantial number of attack drones, triggered air raid sirens that blared for over seven hours, forcing many residents to seek shelter in underground subway stations. The bombardment caused widespread debris across various districts of Kyiv, sparking fires and resulting in at least 15 injured people in the capital, with two more in the surrounding region. Reports further indicated damage to residential buildings, a shopping mall, and other non-residential structures from falling drone fragments and intercepted missile debris, painting a grim picture of the assault’s impact.

Crucially, this intense bombardment came on the heels of what was described as the largest prisoner swap since the conflict began, a rare moment of cooperation. Agreed upon during recent talks, this exchange saw each side release 390 individuals—a mix of soldiers and civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the return of 390 Ukrainians, with further releases expected as part of a larger agreement. However, the timing of these attacks, immediately following a brief glimmer of hope for de-escalation, was widely condemned by Ukrainian officials. They stated that the barrage was “clear evidence that increased sanctions pressure on Moscow is necessary to accelerate the peace process” and accused Russia of “doing everything it can to prevent a ceasefire and continue the war,” underscoring the deep paradox of violence persisting even amidst diplomatic overtures.