Russia claims Kyiv postponed plans for exchange of soldiers' bodies
Russian officials said yesterday that Moscow is still awaiting official confirmation from Ukraine that a planned exchange of 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action will take place, reiterating allegations that Kyiv had postponed the swap.
Russian state media quoted Lieutenant General Alexander Zorin, a representative of the Russian negotiating group, as saying that Russia delivered the first batch of 1,212 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to the exchange site at the border and is waiting for confirmation from Ukraine, but there were 'signals' the process of transferring the bodies would be postponed until next week.
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Night of hell for Ukraine as Putin launches 315 drones in one of biggest strikes of war sparking huge inferno in Kyiv
VLADIMIR Putin has killed at least two people in a terrifying drone blitz which tore through a Ukrainian maternity ward. Russia directly attacked Kyiv with 315 drones and missiles and demolished large parts of the southern port of Odesa overnight. 4 A woman runs past a warehouse which is on fire following Russia's attacks on Kyiv Credit: Reuters 4 An explosion lights up the sky over the capital Credit: Reuters 4 A Russian drone strike on Kyiv left dozens of residential buildings crumbling Credit: AP At least four people have been hospitalised in Kyiv with seven out of the city's 10 districts being impacted. The devastating aerial attacks sparked intense recovery operations as emergency services battled against fires in residential neighbourhoods. Air raid alerts in Kyiv lasted for around five hours as they first alerted residents at around 5am, according to military data. Russia sent out a 315 drone blitz in the attack, including 250 Shaheds, and seven missiles, according to Volodymyr Zelensky. read more in Ukraine war A harrowing image of the capital's skyline shows how it had been engulfed by a cloud of orange from the numerous blasts. As the sun rose in the morning residents complained they 'could not see the dawn' due to the thick black smoke still lingering in the air. Timur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's military district, said on Telegram: "A difficult night for all of us. "Throughout the night, the enemy relentlessly terrorised Kyiv with attack drones. Most read in The US Sun "They targeted civilian infrastructure and peaceful residents of the city." The heroic leader also said the attack on Odesa is one of the worst to impact the region since war began. Speaking on X, Zelensky said: "In Odesa, even a maternity hospital became a Russian target . "Thirteen people were injured. Tragically, there are fatalities. My condolences to the families. "It is vital that the response to this and other similar Russian attacks is not silence from the world, but concrete action." Ukraine now reportedly Earlier this week, Russian drones and missiles were launched at Kyiv again as Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers were reportedly unleashed to rain hell on the infamous Snake Island in the Black Sea. Moscow launched a massive strike on Rivne using its Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers to hit Dubny airbase. Another key Ukrainian military airport - Hostomel - was also attacked as Putin sought revenge for the humiliating attack. Polish armed forces command said Just days ago, 'We have a lot of damage,' Ihor Terekhov said. More than 50 explosions rocked Kharkiv, with the mayor adding it was 'the most powerful attack' on the city of the 39-month war. 4 Smoke rises above a building destroyed by a Russian drone strike on Kyiv Credit: AP
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Ukraine says 'massive' Russia drone attacks hit Kyiv, Odesa
Russia carried out "massive" drone attacks on Ukraine's capital Kyiv and port city of Odesa, killing one person and hitting a maternity hospital, Ukrainian officials said, calling for further sanctions. Russia has kept up its attacks on Ukraine, which has hit back with strikes deep inside Russian territory, while peace talks held over the weekend failed to yield a breakthrough towards ending the three-year war. Aside from an agreement to exchange prisoners, progress has stalled and Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire. "Russia lies every day about its desire for peace and attacks people every day. Time to impose sanctions. Time to support Ukraine with weapons. Time to prove that democracy has power," Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said on Telegram. A 59-year-old man was killed in the Russian strikes on residential buildings in Odesa, and at least four others were wounded, said Governor Oleg Kiper. "The enemy massively attacked Odesa with strike drones. There is damage to civilian infrastructure and fires," Mr Kiper wrote on Telegram. "The Russians hit a maternity hospital, an emergency medical ward and residential buildings," he said, adding the maternity hospital had been evacuated in time. In central Kyiv, an AFP journalist heard at least 12 explosions, anti-aircraft fire and the buzzing of drones. "Stay in shelters! The massive attack on the capital continues," Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, adding in a separate post around 3am local time (1am Irish time) that "a new batch of UAVs (drones) is flying to the capital". Several people were reported wounded in the attacks that hit at least seven districts, with buildings and cars on fire. Prisoner swap Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine triggered the biggest European conflict since World War II, forcing millions to flee their homes and decimating much of eastern and southern Ukraine. Ukrainian cities are targeted by Russian air strikes almost daily. On Sunday, Russia launched a record 479 explosive drones at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Despite efforts by US President Donald Trump to reach a ceasefire agreement, a second round of peace talks in Turkey are at a standstill. The only concrete agreement reached at the talks over the weekend was for the release of all seriously wounded or sick prisoners of war and those under the age of 25 - a deal that did not specify the number of soldiers involved. While welcoming exchanges, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week it was "pointless" to hold further talks with the current Russian delegation - who he previously dismissed as "empty heads" - since they could not agree to a ceasefire. On Sunday, the Russian army also claimed to have attacked the Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, which borders the regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, already partially under Russian control, a first in more than three years of conflict. "Time for everyone to finally accept the fact that Russia understands only strikes, not rational words," Ukraine's Mr Yermak said. As a condition for halting its invasion, Russia has demanded that Ukraine cede the territories Russia claims to have annexed and forswear joining NATO. It has also rejected a proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire sought by Ukraine and the European Union, arguing that it would allow Ukrainian forces to rearm with Western deliveries. Ukraine is demanding a complete Russian withdrawal from its territory and security guarantees from the West, describing Russia's demands as "ultimatums".
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
One killed after 'massive' Russian strikes on Kyiv and Odesa, Ukraine says
RUSSIA CARRIED OUT 'massive' drone attacks on Ukraine's capital Kyiv and port city of Odesa early this morning, killing one person and hitting a maternity hospital, Ukrainian officials said, calling for further sanctions. Moscow has kept up its attacks on Ukraine, which has hit back with strikes deep inside Russian territory, while peace talks held over the weekend failed to yield a breakthrough towards ending the three-year war. Aside from an agreement to exchange prisoners, progress has stalled and Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire. 'Russia lies every day about its desire for peace and attacks people every day. Time to impose sanctions. Time to support Ukraine with weapons. Time to prove that democracy has power,' Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said on Telegram. A 59-year-old man was killed in the Russian strikes on residential buildings in Odesa on Tuesday, and at least four others were wounded, said Governor Oleg Kiper. 'The enemy massively attacked Odesa with strike drones. There is damage to civilian infrastructure and fires,' Kiper wrote on Telegram. 'The Russians hit a maternity hospital, an emergency medical ward and residential buildings,' he said, adding the maternity hospital had been evacuated in time. Advertisement A man reacts as he passes by burning debris following the strike. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo In central Kiev, an AFP journalist heard at least a dozen explosions, anti-aircraft fire and the buzzing of drones. 'Stay in shelters! The massive attack on the capital continues,' Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, adding in a separate post around 3am (1am Irish time) that 'a new batch of UAVs (drones) is flying to the capital'. Four people were wounded in the attacks that hit at least seven districts, he said, with buildings and cars on fire. Prisoner swap Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine triggered the biggest European conflict since World War II, forcing millions to flee their homes and decimating much of eastern and southern Ukraine. Ukrainian cities are targeted by Russian air strikes almost daily. On Sunday, Russia launched a record 479 explosive drones at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Kyiv has also carried out attacks on Russian territory, targeting transport and weapons production infrastructure. Russia's transport agency Rosaviatsia said today that flight operations were temporarily restricted at Saint Petersburg's Pulkovo airport. Similar restrictions were imposed on at least 13 other airports overnight, with four in Moscow reopening today. A car and a building destroyed in the strikes. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Despite efforts by US President Donald Trump to reach a ceasefire agreement, a second round of peace talks in Turkey are at a standstill. Related Reads At least five killed as Russia launches major attack on Ukraine At least four dead and 20 wounded in overnight Russian drone strikes on Kyiv Trump-Putin phone call will not lead to 'immediate peace in Ukraine', US President says The only concrete agreement reached at the talks over the weekend was for release all seriously wounded or sick prisoners of war and those under the age of 25 – a deal that did not specify the number of soldiers involved. While welcoming POW exchanges, Zelenskyy said last week said it was 'pointless' to hold further talks with the current Russian delegation – who he previously dismissed as 'empty heads' – since they could not agree to a ceasefire. On Sunday, the Russian army also claimed to have attacked the Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, which borders the regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, already partially under Russian control, a first in more than three years of conflict. 'Time for everyone to finally accept the fact that Russia understands only strikes, not rational words,' Ukraine's Yermak said on Tuesday, in a thinly veiled criticism of the Trump administration. As a condition for halting its invasion, Russia has demanded that Ukraine cede the territories Moscow claims to have annexed and forswear joining Nato. It has also rejected a proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire sought by Kyiv and the European Union, arguing that it would allow Ukrainian forces to rearm with Western deliveries. Ukraine is demanding a complete Russian withdrawal of from its territory and security guarantees from the West, describing Moscow's demands as 'ultimatums'. © AFP 2025
