In a distressing development for Ukraine, the capital city of Kyiv was the target of a significant and coordinated Russian drone and missile attack in the early hours of Saturday morning. This assault came just hours after both Russia and Ukraine initiated a major prisoner exchange, marking a stark contrast in the day’s events.

According to Ukraine’s National Police, at least 15 individuals sustained injuries as a result of the attack, which impacted multiple districts throughout Kyiv. The city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported that the strikes ignited fires and left debris scattered across various neighborhoods. Residential buildings bore the brunt of the assault, with officials confirming significant damage.

Eyewitness accounts, supported by videos shared by the Reuters news agency, depicted the chaos: loud explosions echoed through the streets, accompanied by the piercing sound of emergency sirens. The night sky was illuminated by flames from burning structures, creating a surreal and frightening atmosphere.

The timing of this aerial assault is particularly noteworthy, as it coincided with the commencement of what is anticipated to be the most extensive prisoner exchange since the onset of the war. The exchange, which began on Friday and is set to continue through the weekend, involves a total swap of 2,000 individuals—1,000 from each side.

This exchange was the primary outcome of a recent meeting between Ukrainian and Russian officials held in Istanbul. This meeting was significant as it was the first direct engagement between the two nations since Russia’s unprovoked invasion began in February 2022. Although there was hope for a more substantial agreement, the decision to facilitate the prisoner swap was the only notable result.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Kyiv city military administration reported that shell fragments had caused damage to an apartment building in the Dniprovskyi district. Additionally, a fire erupted across four floors of a high-rise in the Obolon district, which is situated in the northern suburbs of the city. Reports indicated that numerous windows were shattered, and debris from the attack was also noted at a nearby shopping center.

Ukraine's Air Force disclosed that Russia launched a staggering 14 ballistic missiles and approximately 250 attack drones targeting the country, with Kyiv being the focal point of this offensive. Ukrainian air defenses were able to intercept and shoot down six of the ballistic missiles and an impressive 245 of the drones. Nonetheless, projectiles managed to strike various regions, including Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky took to Telegram to express his sorrow over the injuries inflicted on civilians, stating, “It was a difficult night for all of Ukraine,” and extending condolences to the families of the injured.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized the relentless efforts of the nation's air defense systems, which operated continuously to thwart the Russian air assault during the night. He criticized Russia’s actions, stating, “One week has passed since the Istanbul meeting, and Russia has yet to send its ‘peace memorandum.’ Instead, Russia sends deadly drones and missiles at civilians.”

On the other hand, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have neutralized 94 Ukrainian UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) over its territory, particularly in the Belgorod and Bryansk regions. Some UAVs were reported downed in other regions, including Kursk, Lipetsk, Voronezh, and Tula.

The Istanbul meeting, which was initially proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was viewed by many as an attempt to divert attention away from the pressing demands made by Kyiv’s European allies for an immediate ceasefire or sanctions against Moscow. While Ukraine and its allies insisted on the necessity of an unconditional ceasefire during these talks, such an agreement did not materialize. Notably, neither President Zelensky nor President Putin attended the discussions.

This news story will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.