25-05-2025
Russia inflicts ‘night of terror' on Ukraine
Russia has unleashed a second 'night of terror' in Ukraine killing at least 12 people.
Moscow has intensified strikes over the weekend, battering cities and towns across Ukraine, including on the capital Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said 45 Russian missiles and 266 attack drones had been shot down.
Three children, aged eight, 12 and 17, were killed in the north-west region of Zhytomyr, officials said. The 'massive night attack' also killed four people in the western Khmelnytskyi region, four in the Kyiv region and one in Mykolaiv in the south.
Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's first deputy prime minister, said the attacks clearly demonstrated Russia's intentions to prolong the war.
'Another night of terror in Ukraine, as Russians targeted our civilian population across the country with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones – killing people in their own homes,' she wrote on X.
'Among the dead are children... Russia's targets are clear: homes, families, children.'
She added: 'Ukraine is standing. But we are asking, not for sympathy, but for action. Air defense [sic]. Sanctions. Pressure. Now.
'All delays, failed promises, and playing by Russia's rules only cost more innocent lives – and Russia has no intention of stopping with Ukraine.'
Another night of terror in Ukraine, as Russians targeted our civilian population across the country with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones—killing people in their own homes.
Among the dead are children.
In Zhytomyr, three children were killed—8, 12, and 17 years…
— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) May 25, 2025
The Russian military said on Saturday that Ukraine deployed 788 drones and missiles since Tuesday.
Restrictions were imposed in Moscow on at least four airports, including the main hub Sheremetyevo, the Russian civilian aviation authority said.
The attacks come as the two sides pursue their biggest prisoner swap since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said he expected officials to press on with a prisoner swap agreed during talks in Istanbul on May 16, despite the ongoing strikes.
On Saturday, 307 Russian prisoners of war were exchanged for the same number of Ukrainian soldiers, according to announcements in Kyiv and Moscow.
Both sides received 390 people in the first stage on Friday. They are expected to exchange 1,000 each in total.
Russia has signalled it will send Ukraine its terms for a peace settlement after the exchange, without saying what those terms would be.
The two enemies have held regular prisoner swaps, but this would be the largest so far, if completed.
