A major prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine saw 303 Ukrainian defenders return home, part of a broader exchange involving 1,000 captives on each side. The deal, brokered in Istanbul, was hailed as a rare success in otherwise faltering peace efforts.
But the optimism was shattered overnight. Russian forces launched their largest aerial assault of the war, targeting Kyiv and other cities with hundreds of drones and missiles. The attacks left at least 12 dead—including three children—and dozens injured, with homes and entire villages left in ruins.
Despite the humanitarian breakthrough, the war’s brutality persists. The ongoing violence starkly contrasts with the moments of reunion, highlighting the enduring hardships faced by Ukrainian civilians.
