KYIV: Russian forces launched an unprecedented number of drone attacks on Ukraine, killing 13 people nationwide, officials said on Sunday. Despite this, Kyiv and Moscow managed to complete their largest prisoner swap since the war began.
Ukraine’s emergency services described a night of “terror” as Russia carried out a second consecutive night of heavy airstrikes, including on the capital city, Kyiv.
The new wave of attacks followed a massive overnight barrage on Friday into Saturday, when Russia launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones, injuring 15 people.
Ukraine Calls for More Global Pressure
On Sunday, Ukraine’s military said it had intercepted 45 Russian missiles and 266 attack drones overnight. Air force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat reported that Russia launched a total of 298 drones, calling it the “highest number ever.”
In the attacks, four people died in western Khmelnytskyi, four in the Kyiv region, and one in the southern city of Mykolaiv. Emergency services said 16 others were injured in the Kyiv region, including three children.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that “this brutality cannot be stopped without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership,” adding that “the silence of America, the silence of others around the world only encourages Putin.” He also emphasized that “sanctions will certainly help.”
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, echoed Zelensky’s calls, urging for “the strongest international pressure on Russia to end this war.”
Meanwhile, Russia claimed its attacks were targeting Ukraine’s “military-industrial complex” and said it had downed 110 Ukrainian drones.
