Russia, using missiles and drones, launched one of the biggest assaults on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, since the beginning of the war more than three years ago and hours after a prisoner exchange began.

On Friday, Ukraine and Russia had each handed over 390 soldiers and civilians in the biggest prisoner exchange since Russia launched its full-scale assault in February 2022. Both countries have each agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners, with another exchange expected on Sunday.

KYIV: Kyiv came under attack from more than a dozen Russian drones early Sunday (May 25), authorities in the Ukrainian capital said as they warned of a missile threat. AFP journalists heard explosions and locals were urged to seek shelter,

As Ukrainian drones strike deep into Russian territory, they are disrupting day-to-day life and reminding Russians that the war is not confined to the trenches.

Russia battered Ukraine overnight with its largest drone attack since the war began, Ukraine’s military said Sunday, ahead of an expected phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending hostilities.

The Kremlin that its air defenses shot down 485 drones across 14 regions in its control. Several reports indicate other drones found their targets.

Ukraine's air force said that Russia had fired 14 ballistic missiles at targets across Ukraine overnight and launched 250 long-range drones, with Kyiv the main target. The strikes followed several days of Ukrainian drone strikes - some 800 attacks - on targets inside Russia, including the capital Moscow.