Sunday May 25, 2025|
At least 12 people, including three children, were killed and dozens more injured as Russia launched one of its most intense waves of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine over the weekend. Nearly 300 drones and 70 missiles rained down on cities and villages Saturday night, sparking fires, destroying homes, and overwhelming emergency services.
The overnight onslaught marked one of the bloodiest assaults Ukraine has faced since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. By Sunday morning, President Volodymyr Zelensky said rescue and recovery operations were active in more than 30 locations across the country.
“Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day,” Zelensky said in a statement. “The world may go on a weekend break, but the war continues, regardless of weekends and weekdays.”
Talks to end the war remain stalled despite mounting international pressure. Washington has intensified its diplomatic efforts, with U.S. President Donald Trump holding a two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week in a bid to secure a ceasefire.
However, Putin pushed back, insisting that the “root causes” of the war must be addressed before any lasting peace can be achieved.
Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, accused Moscow of stalling the peace process to prolong the bloodshed. “We have long been ready to cease fire, but Russia is doing everything to continue destroying people, because Putin likes it,” Yermak said. “Without pressure, nothing will change.”
Despite the ongoing violence, rare signs of diplomacy emerged. Both nations conducted their largest prisoner exchanges since the conflict began, with 390 prisoners swapped on Friday and another 307 Ukrainians returned home Saturday. A total of 1,000 prisoners are expected to be released on both sides under a new agreement.
The prisoner swap followed face-to-face negotiations in Turkey — the first direct talks in three years. Yet, as diplomats search for a breakthrough, Russia’s weapons continue to pound Ukraine, keeping hopes for peace on the edge.
