Russia launches huge missile, drone assault on Ukraine killing 12 folks, officers say

A large Russian drone and missile assaults struck Ukraine in a single day for the second evening in a row, killing no less than 12 folks and injuring dozens extra, Ukrainian officers mentioned early Sunday. The capital metropolis, Kyiv, noticed a number of explosions and heavy anti-aircraft hearth via the evening, forcing many residents to hunt refuge in subway stations.

The size of the assault was unprecedented, with Russia launching a complete of 367 drones and missiles in what Ukraine’s Air Power has referred to as the biggest single assault for the reason that warfare started over three years in the past, in response to spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat.

Chatting with The Related Press, Ihnat mentioned the barrage included 69 missiles of varied varieties and 298 drones, lots of them Iranian-designed Shahed fashions.

A number of areas of town sustained vital injury together with a scholar dormitory within the Holosiivskyi district was struck by a drone, igniting a hearth and damaging the constructing. A non-public residence in Dniprovskyi district was destroyed.

Within the Shevchenkivskyi district, a residential constructing suffered shattered home windows as a result of blasts.

Assault coincides with ongoing prisoner swap

The assault occurred on the third day of a serious prisoner change settlement between Ukraine and Russia, the one tangible progress achieved throughout current peace talks held in Istanbul.

Thus far, either side has repatriated 390 people, together with each troopers and civilians. On Saturday alone, 307 extra detainees had been exchanged. Each President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russia’s Protection Ministry confirmed the developments and signaled that additional exchanges are anticipated quickly.

“We anticipate extra to come back tomorrow,” Zelenskyy mentioned through Telegram. Russia’s Protection Ministry echoed this, stating the method would proceed, although with out specifying additional particulars.

Istanbul talks yield fragile cooperation

The prisoner change emerged as a uncommon second of collaboration from the Istanbul negotiations, the primary direct peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. As a part of the settlement, each international locations pledged to swap 1,000 prisoners of warfare and civilian detainees.

Regardless of this restricted progress, the broader aim of reaching a ceasefire stays elusive because the battle continues into its third 12 months.

(With inputs from the Related Press)