Kyiv hit by Russian Attack as Ukraine and Russia Swap Prisoners

Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv, was hit by a large drone and missile attack from Russia early Saturday morning. The explosions caused fires and damage in several parts of the city. Officials said that six people were hurt, and falling debris hit a shopping mall and a residential building. “Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in at least four districts of Kyiv,” said Tymur Tkachenko, the acting head of Kyiv’s military administration. “Two fires broke out in the Solomianskyi district,” he added. According to France 24, many people in Kyiv were forced to hide in underground subway st

Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv, was hit by a large drone and missile attack from Russia early Saturday morning. The explosions caused fires and damage in several parts of the city. Officials said that six people were hurt, and falling debris hit a shopping mall and a residential building. “Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in at least four districts of Kyiv,” said Tymur Tkachenko, the acting head of Kyiv’s military administration. “Two fires broke out in the Solomianskyi district,” he added. According to France 24, many people in Kyiv were forced to hide in underground subway stations as explosions and gunfire were heard across the city. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko had warned earlier that over 20 Russian drones were coming toward the city. “Emergency services are at the scene,” Klitschko said after confirming that debris hit a shopping center and homes in the Obolon district. This attack happened just hours after Ukraine and Russia began a large prisoner exchange. Each side agreed to release 1,000 prisoners as part of a deal made last week during talks in Istanbul, Turkey. “This was the first part of the biggest prisoner swap since the war began,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “We brought home 390 Ukrainians today, and more are expected soon.” Russia said it received the same number of prisoners from Ukraine. The exchange took place near the Belarus border, and the Russian prisoners were taken to Belarus for medical care. Although the prisoner swap gave some hope, the fighting has not stopped. Battles continue across a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, and both sides are still launching deep attacks. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called the prisoner swap a “confidence-building measure.” He said the two sides had agreed to meet again, but there is no set date or location yet. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “There is no agreement yet for the next round of peace talks.” Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia would send Ukraine a peace proposal after the prisoner exchange is completed. Meanwhile, European leaders accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of delaying peace talks to try and gain more territory in Ukraine.