Overview

• Russia launched nearly 500 Shahed-type drones and 20 missiles at central and western Ukraine overnight in its largest aerial assault since the war began
• Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down about 460 drones and 19 missiles, with only a few projectiles breaching defenses and one person injured
• The Kremlin framed the attack as retaliatory punishment for Ukraine’s recent deep-strike drone raids on Russian air bases hosting strategic bombers
• A staggered exchange of prisoners of war is under way following Istanbul talks that set terms for swapping at least 1,200 captives each and repatriating thousands of bodies
• Germany pledged to supply new long-range missiles and other military aid as Kyiv intensifies appeals for enhanced Western air defense systems