Overview

• Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 479 Shahed drones and 20 missiles in its biggest aerial assault since the war began
• Kyiv’s air defenses intercepted most of the incoming barrage but confirmed civilian casualties and damage to homes and medical facilities in Kyiv and Odessa
• Moscow framed the strike as retaliation for Ukraine’s Operation Spinnennetz, which targeted Russian strategic bomber bases earlier this month
• Ukraine and Russia began exchanging prisoners under 25, delivering the first group agreed upon during diplomatic talks in Istanbul with further swaps planned
• President Zelensky urged Western allies to impose stronger sanctions and accelerate military support in response to the uptick in drone attacks