In a shocking turn of events, Kyiv was rocked by a massive Russian drone and missile assault on Saturday, May 24, injuring at least 15 individuals. This escalation occurs concurrently with the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine since the start of the conflict.

According to Ukraine's air force, the attack comprised 14 ballistic missiles and a staggering 250 attack drones launched overnight. Remarkably, Ukrainian defenses managed to intercept six missiles and an astonishing 245 drones.

"Kyiv was the primary target of this enemy strike," the air force stated emphatically. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed grave concerns on social media, stating, "With each such attack, the world becomes increasingly aware that the impetus for prolonging this war lies squarely with Moscow." He stressed that only fresh sanctions against key sectors of the Russian economy would compel Moscow to halt its aggression.

In the wake of the airstrikes, city officials reported multiple fires and debris scattered throughout the capital, following loud explosions heard across the city. Besides the injuries in Kyiv, the attacks also resulted in the tragic loss of five civilians in the regions of Kharkiv and Donetsk.

In a related note, the Russian military claimed to have faced 788 drone and missile attacks from Ukraine since Tuesday, and just over the past week, numerous Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow had been brought down.

This brutal assault on Kyiv coincided with a significant diplomatic development—a prisoner exchange that began hours earlier. Following talks in Istanbul, both nations exchanged 307 prisoners of war, facilitated through Belarus, a crucial ally for Moscow. This marked a pivotal moment as both sides had already exchanged 390 individuals the day before and are expected to trade a total of 1,000.

Zelenskyy confirmed, "We expect the exchange to continue tomorrow." Reports indicate that Russia plans to outline its terms for a peace settlement post-swap, though specifics remain undisclosed.

The scale of this prisoner swap is unprecedented, reflecting a long-standing pattern of exchanges since the Russian offensive commenced in 2022. Some of the freed Ukrainian soldiers, emaciated yet jubilant, were spotted arriving at a hospital in the northern Chernigiv region, warmly greeted by emotional relatives holding up portraits of their loved ones still in captivity.

"It's simply crazy. Crazy emotions!" exclaimed Konstantin Steblev, a soldier who spent three years in captivity, shedding light on the rollercoaster of feelings during his return.

Meanwhile, Russia reported receiving 270 military personnel and 120 civilians, including captives from the Kursk region. Former U.S. President Donald Trump celebrated the historic swap and hinted at potential breakthroughs, yet past efforts to secure a ceasefire have faltered.

Among those released, 58-year-old Viktor Syvak, who had endured 37 months of captivity, expressed sheer disbelief at the warm welcome. "Words can hardly capture it. It's overwhelming joy," he shared, highlighting the emotional burden carried by long-term POWs.

As the war drags on for over three years, both nations grapple with thousands of prisoners. Estimates suggest that Russia likely holds between 8,000 to 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Despite escalating diplomatic initiatives, the Kremlin seems steadfast in its demands, as President Vladimir Putin continues to push forward with military operations, leaving in its wake a devastating toll.