12 Killed as Russia Strikes Ukraine Overnight

At least 12 people, including three children, were killed in a wave of overnight Russian strikes across Ukraine, officials said Sunday, even as Kyiv and Moscow completed their largest prisoner swap since the war began.

Described by emergency services as a night of "terror," Russia unleashed its second consecutive large-scale aerial assault, targeting regions across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv. The renewed onslaught followed a barrage the previous night that involved 14 ballistic missiles and over 250 drones.

Among the dead were an 8-year-old, a 12-year-old, and a 17-year-old in the northwestern Zhytomyr region. Additional fatalities were reported in the Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, and Mykolaiv regions. At least 16 others were injured in the Kyiv region alone, including three children.

"We saw the whole street was on fire," said 65-year-old Tetiana Iankovska, a resident of Makhalivka near Kyiv. Another survivor, Oleskandr, 64, dismissed the prospects of peace talks. "We don’t need talks, but weapons... Russia understands only force."

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks and called for increased global pressure on Moscow. "Without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped," he said, urging the international community to tighten sanctions.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed his sentiments. "Last night’s attacks again show Russia’s intent to cause suffering and destroy Ukraine," she said. "Devastating to see children among the victims."

Ukraine’s military claimed it shot down 45 Russian missiles and 266 drones overnight. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted 110 Ukrainian drones.
Major Prisoner Exchange Completed

Despite the bloodshed, the two nations completed a significant diplomatic gesture: a three-day prisoner exchange that saw 1,000 captives from each side returned home. The deal was finalized after talks in Istanbul on May 16.

Russia confirmed the final phase of the swap on Sunday, saying 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war were exchanged for an equal number of Russian soldiers. President Zelensky welcomed the successful exchange.

"This could lead to something big," former U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, referencing the swap. However, his efforts to broker a ceasefire have so far shown little tangible progress.

An AFP reporter witnessed former Ukrainian captives arriving at a hospital in the northern Chernihiv region—emaciated but smiling and waving.

"It's simply crazy. Crazy feelings," said 31-year-old soldier Konstantin Steblev, free after three years in Russian captivity. Another soldier, 58-year-old Viktor Syvak, held for over three years after his capture in Mariupol, was overcome with emotion.

"It’s impossible to describe. I can’t put it into words. It’s very joyful," he said.

As both sides continue to trade fire, the fate of any lasting peace remains uncertain.