Russia Strikes Kyiv with Missiles and Drones Hours After Historic Prisoner Swap Begins

Kyiv, Ukraine, May 24, 2025 — Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, was rocked by a barrage of Russian missile and drone attacks overnight into Saturday, leaving at least eight people injured and causing widespread damage across multiple districts. The assault, which triggered fires and littered debris throughout the city, came just hours after Russia and Ukraine initiated a historic prisoner exchange, marking a stark escalation in hostilities.

Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported that air defense units were actively engaged, but fragments from a downed drone struck the upper floor of an apartment building, sparking fires and necessitating hospital treatment for two residents. The attack underscores the fragile state of negotiations between the two nations as they navigate a complex prisoner swap amid ongoing conflict.

Devastation in Kyiv’s Neighborhoods

The overnight attack left Kyiv’s residents reeling, with explosions and air raid sirens piercing the night. Fires broke out in the Dniprovskyi district, where a blaze engulfed two floors of an apartment building, according to Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration. In the northern Obolon suburb, drone fragments caused a fire and damaged a shopping center, while debris was reported across several other neighborhoods.

Real-time updates indicate that emergency services are still assessing the full extent of the damage, with residents sharing images of shattered windows and smoldering buildings. The attack’s timing, coinciding with the start of a major prisoner exchange, has fueled speculation about Russia’s intent to disrupt diplomatic progress.

Prisoner Swap Overshadowed by Violence

The assault followed the first phase of what is set to be the largest prisoner exchange since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The swap, which began on Friday and is expected to continue through Sunday, involves the release of 1,000 prisoners from each side, totaling 2,000 individuals. Negotiated in Istanbul last week, the exchange was the only concrete outcome of a rare direct meeting between Ukrainian and Russian officials, mediated by Turkey.

The talks, initially proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to a ceasefire-or-sanctions ultimatum from Ukraine’s European allies, failed to produce a ceasefire agreement. Neither Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky nor Putin attended the Istanbul meeting, highlighting the deep mistrust between the two sides.

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Geopolitical Tensions and Strategic Motives

The timing of the attack has raised questions about Russia’s strategy, with analysts suggesting it may be an attempt to undermine the prisoner swap and assert dominance amid stalled negotiations. Recent discussions on global security forums indicate growing concern that Russia’s actions are designed to pressure Ukraine and its allies while testing the resilience of Kyiv’s defenses.

Ukraine’s demand for an immediate ceasefire during the Istanbul talks was rebuffed, and the latest attack suggests that Moscow is prioritizing military pressure over diplomatic concessions. As the prisoner exchange continues, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, with fears that further escalation could derail fragile efforts toward de-escalation.