Russia has struck Ukraine in one of its largest aerial attacks since it invaded three years ago, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more.
The airstrikes hit more than 30 cities and villages, and targeted Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the bombardment of his country a Russian “terrorist” attack, while criticising the “silence of America”.
It comes against a backdrop of failed peace talks and the largest prisoner swap since Russia first invaded.
Airstrikes
Russia’s airstrikes included a mix of drones and missiles.
The military largely targeted parts of Ukraine currently not under Russian occupation, including Chernihiv in the north, to Odesa in the south.
Moscow’s forces currently occupy roughly one-fifth of Ukraine, mostly in the country’s east and close to the Russian border.
Russia also bombed Kyiv, destroying part of a university and some businesses in the capital, according to President Zelenskyy.
Ukrainian officials said 12 people were killed, including children, while 60 others were injured.
Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy described the barrage of air raids as a “terrorist Russian strike”, calling for more sanctions (penalties) to be imposed on Moscow.
He also took aim at the U.S. for its “silence” on Russia’s strikes, saying it encourages Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue ordering attacks on Ukraine.
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“Putin must be forced to think not about launching missiles, but about ending the war,” Zelenskyy said.
U.S. response
In response to the strikes, U.S. President Donald Trump said: “Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.”
He condemned Putin for “needlessly killing a lot of people,” while also saying the Ukrainian President’s comments were “doing his country no favours”.
Diplomacy
Truce talks have largely stalled between Russia and Ukraine, despite recent hints of a breakthrough.
The U.S., UK, and European countries have pressured Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire, which it hasn’t accepted.
The parties were meant to gather in Istanbul, Turkiyë, to reach an agreement last week. Putin later confirmed he would not attend.
However, the Russian and Ukrainian delegates agreed to the terms of a prisoner exchange at this meeting.
Prisoner swap
More than 300 Ukrainians and Russians were each returned over the weekend, marking the final stage of a 1,000-person swap over three days.
It was the largest exchange of captives since Russia first invaded in February, 2022.
Meanwhile, Australian volunteer, Oscar Jenkins, was handed a 13-year jail sentence in Russia earlier this month, during what Foreign Minister Penny Wong called a “sham trial”.
