Explosions Over Kyiv: Largest Attack in Years Amid New Hopes for Peace

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Kyiv experienced one of the most intense airstrikes since the beginning of the war.

Over 250 drones and 14 ballistic missiles were launched against the Ukrainian capital. The air raid alarm sounded for more than seven hours, and large portions of the city’s residents took shelter in metro stations while explosions shook the streets above them.

The Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down six missiles and most of the drones, but fragments from those that got through caused chaos and destruction across six of the city’s districts. In the Obolon district, at least five people were injured, and a residential block suffered extensive damage.

Prospects for Peace Falter

The attack coincided with a long-anticipated prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine—a development many viewed as a first step towards a ceasefire. Read more about it here.

On Friday, 390 Ukrainian prisoners were released, and on Saturday the Russian Defense Ministry reported that 307 prisoners from each side were swapped.

For the first time in months, there is potential for genuine negotiations. According to Sergei Lavrov, a draft of ceasefire terms is underway from Moscow. However, the attack on Kyiv casts a shadow over the process.

“A Tough Night for All of Ukraine”

President Volodymyr Zelensky was unequivocal in his interpretation of the night’s events.

Zelensky has once again called for tougher sanctions against Russia and expressed concerns that the attack is a deliberate attempt to sabotage the peace process.

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