Russia launched one of its largest overnight attacks on Ukraine, killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens in a massive drone and missile strike.
Ukrainian officials said the assault, which involved a record number of drones, showed Moscow had no interest in a ceasefire, even as both countries carried out their biggest prisoner swap since the war began.
The attacks, which continued for a second straight night and included the capital Kyiv, hit 13 regions across the country.
Ukraine’s military on Sunday reported shooting down 266 out of 298 drones and 45 missiles. Air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said Russia had launched 298 drones in total, "the highest number ever".
Videos circulating online showed the most massive Russian air attack in many weeks lasted all night.
The recent escalation by Russia marked its second major assault in consecutive nights and third within a week, resulting in increased civilian casualties despite ongoing ceasefire talks.
Emergency services described the night as one of "terror," while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for tougher international pressure on Russia.
"Without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped," Zelenskyy said on social media. "The silence of America, the silence of others around the world only encourages Putin," he said, further adding that, "Sanctions will certainly help."
Meanwhile, the European Union’s top diplomat condemned the strikes and urged "the strongest international pressure" to stop the war.
Russia said its strikes targeted Ukraine’s "military-industrial complex" and claimed to have shot down 110 Ukrainian drones. The night before, Russia launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones, injuring 15 people, according to Ukrainian officials.
Drone activity also caused temporary flight disruptions at Moscow airports on Sunday, though no injuries were reported.
In a contrasting development, Ukraine and Russia completed their largest prisoner exchange since the war began in 2022.
Just hours after Sunday's deadly airstrike, both countries announced they had completed a major prisoner swap that began on Friday. Each side released 303 more individuals, bringing the total to 1,000 exchanged by each, marking the largest prisoner exchange since the war began.
US President Donald Trump, who has said he could quickly end the war had earlier praised the recent prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.
However, Trump called Vladimir Putin "crazy," after Russia carried out a massive drone attack in Ukraine. "I've always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him! He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He's needlessly killing a lot of people, and I'm not just talking about soldiers," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Trump didn't spare Zelenskyy either, saying that the latter is doing the European nation "no favours" by "talking the way he does." The Republican leader also criticized his own predecessor Joe Biden
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