Intensified strikes and prisoner swaps mark day 1,186 of Russia-Ukraine war

Sunday 25 May 2025 - 08:01

By: Zahouani Ilham

Intensified strikes and prisoner swaps mark day 1,186 of Russia-Ukraine war

As of Sunday, May 25, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has reached its 1,186th day, marked by deadly attacks and significant diplomatic moves.

In a widespread overnight offensive, Russian forces launched strikes on Kyiv and nearby areas, killing at least four people and injuring 16 others, including three children. Ukrainian officials reported that homes and other structures were damaged in the assault.

In the western region of Khmelnytskyi, four fatalities and five injuries were confirmed following another attack, according to regional military official Sergiy Tyurin. In Zhytomyr, three children—aged eight, 12, and 17—were killed in additional Russian airstrikes, while 10 others sustained injuries, according to emergency services.

Southern Ukraine also came under attack. A man died when a drone hit a residential building in Mykolaiv. In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, drone strikes injured at least three individuals and caused window damage in several apartment buildings, reported Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Meanwhile, Russia claimed it intercepted 12 drones aimed at Moscow, prompting authorities to restrict operations at four airports, including Sheremetyevo, as announced by Rosaviatsiya, the country's civil aviation body.

Russia’s military reported that Ukraine has launched at least 788 drones and missiles at Russian targets since Tuesday. On the eastern front, Russian forces claim to have captured two settlements in the Donetsk region.

On the diplomatic front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's continued assaults, suggesting they were part of a broader strategy to prolong the conflict. He renewed his appeal for stronger international sanctions.

In a major development, Russia announced the release of 307 Ukrainian prisoners of war in exchange for an equal number of Russian servicemen, who are now in Belarus receiving care before returning home.

Moscow also stated it would present Ukraine with terms for a peace deal once a complete “1,000-for-1,000” prisoner swap had been executed, though it did not specify the terms.

Additionally, Ukraine revealed it is investigating alleged war crimes involving the execution of 268 Ukrainian prisoners by Russian forces since the start of the invasion in February 2022. The prosecutor general’s office confirmed the opening of 75 criminal investigations into these allegations.