Ukraine Confronts New Wave of Russian Aerial Attacks
In the early hours of Saturday, Ukraine faced a fresh onslaught of Russian aerial attacks, with the Ukrainian Air Force reporting that 260 combat drones, mostly of the “Shahed” type and 14 ballistic missiles were launched on Kiev and seven other regions. The assault resulted in reported casualties and injuries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks in a video statement, describing the night as “difficult for the entire Ukraine.” He also accused Russia of being the main obstacle to a ceasefire, stating, “With each of these attacks, the world is convinced: the reason for the delay in the war is in Moscow.”
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the Russian military suffered significant losses, with 1,130 soldiers killed within a 24-hour period. The report also claimed that Russia lost 47 armored vehicles, 36 artillery systems and 232 drones in the same timeframe. On Friday, the front line between Ukrainian and Russian forces saw 150 engagements.
In a significant development, a large-scale prisoner exchange has seen an additional 307 Ukrainian soldiers return from Russian captivity, with President Zelensky announcing the news. In total, 697 Ukrainian prisoners have been freed in the past two days, with another exchange planned for Sunday. The agreement, reached in Turkey, calls for the exchange of 1,000 prisoners on each side.