Ukraine launched a large nighttime drone assault targeting a dozen Russian regions, Crimea, and surrounding waters, marking one of the most extensive strikes since the full-scale invasion began.
Russian air defenses intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones, surpassing the previous record of 556 drones struck earlier in May. Moscow mayor reported that 47 of those drones were intercepted near the capital. The operation underscored the intensity of the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine’s air force intercepted 174 of 189 Russian drones over the night, while four Iskander‑M ballistic missiles penetrated defenses and struck various locations. The exchange of fire highlights the continued escalation on both sides.
In a separate development, a prisoner swap released 160 individuals from each side, bringing the total exchanged to 320. The exchange reflects efforts to mitigate the human toll of the war.
President Zelenskyy announced the release of 160 servicemembers, including members of the Armed Forces, the State Special Transport Service, the National Guard, and border guards. He thanked frontline units for their role in replenishing the exchange fund and emphasized the commitment to bring all remaining personnel and civilians home.
The government remains vigilant in tracking the status of all individuals still in captivity, continuing to work toward their return.
