Kyiv experienced a significant Russian drone and missile attack early on Saturday, with explosions and machine gun fire prompting residents to seek shelter in subway stations. This assault occurred shortly after a notable prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, which involved the swap of hundreds of soldiers and civilians. This development was seen as a rare instance of cooperation amid ongoing conflict, stemming from an agreement reached in Istanbul the previous week.
The acting head of Kyiv’s military administration reported that debris from intercepted missiles fell in four districts, causing injuries to six people and igniting two fires in Solomianskyi. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko had warned locals earlier about over 20 Russian drones targeting the capital. During the attack, missile debris struck both a shopping mall and a residential area in Obolon.
In the recent prisoner swap, which is the most extensive of the war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the release of 390 Ukrainians, while Russia received an equal number from Ukraine. The exchange occurred at the Belarus border, with liberated Russians being sent for medical care. Despite the swap, combat continued along a vast front line, indicating that diplomatic resolutions remain elusive.
While Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called the exchange a “confidence-building measure,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that there was yet to be agreement on future peace talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated that a draft for a comprehensive peace agreement would be shared after the prisoner exchange concluded. However, stark differences in conditions for ending the fighting continue to complicate negotiations, particularly Ukraine’s demand for a temporary ceasefire.
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