Date: May 22, 2025
By: BlogHear News Desk
At least 14 people were injured in Kyiv after Russia launched a major combined missile and drone assault on the Ukrainian capital, according to city authorities. The Ukrainian Air Force said 250 drones and 14 ballistic missiles targeted the city in what is being described as one of the largest aerial attacks on Kyiv since the war began.
Ukraine’s defense systems intercepted 245 drones and six missiles, but several explosions and fires still erupted across the city, damaging residential homes, businesses, and vehicles.
A “Difficult Night” for Kyiv
President Volodymyr Zelensky described the overnight barrage as a “difficult night,” highlighting that falling debris and direct strikes had triggered fires and explosions in multiple neighborhoods of Kyiv.
“With each such attack, the world becomes more certain that the cause of prolonging the war lies in Moscow,” Zelensky said in a statement on X.
Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, noted that Russia appears to be improving its tactics by coordinating drone strikes with ballistic missile attacks, making it harder for Ukrainian defenses to respond effectively.
One local resident, Olha Chyrukha (64), told Reuters:
“I wish they’d agree to a ceasefire. To bomb people like this — poor children. My three-year-old granddaughter was screaming scared.”
International Pressure and Sanctions
Zelensky reiterated that further international sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy are essential to pushing Moscow toward peace. He argued that sanctions are the most effective way to bring about a ceasefire and end the suffering of civilians.
This latest assault follows a similar wave of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia last week. Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed it had intercepted 485 drones, including attacks over Moscow.
Prisoner Swaps Offer Glimmer of Diplomacy
Despite the violence, diplomatic developments are underway. Ukraine and Russia are actively conducting large-scale prisoner exchanges. On Saturday, Zelensky announced the return of 307 Ukrainian prisoners, part of an agreement negotiated during talks in Turkey.
This comes after both sides exchanged 390 prisoners each on Friday — marking the largest exchange since the war began in February 2022. According to officials, both countries plan to swap a total of 1,000 prisoners, with another exchange expected on Sunday.
Images shared on social media showed freed Ukrainian soldiers draped in the brightly colored flag of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine upon their return.
Trump Hints at “Something Big”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the prisoner exchanges, suggesting on social media that they “could lead to something big???” — hinting at a possible diplomatic breakthrough.
Trump also revealed that he had recently spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that the two sides might “immediately start” ceasefire negotiations. However, the Kremlin has only confirmed interest in drafting a “memorandum on a possible future peace agreement,” without committing to the proposed 30-day ceasefire.
Ongoing Conflict and Uncertainty
The war, now in its third year, shows few signs of slowing down. While prisoner swaps offer some hope of progress, the scale and intensity of military operations on both sides continue to escalate.
Ukraine’s government remains firm in its call for stronger global action, while Russia maintains its strategic posture amid mounting international scrutiny.
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