War in Europe

Ukraine, worst Russian attack ever with 367 drones: 12 dead. US envoy: Russian attacks shameful, ceasefire now

Istanbul venue for continuation of negotiations. Prisoner exchange completed with last 303 soldiers

25 May 2025

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Ucraina, uno degli attacci di questa notte nella regione di Kiev

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Tonight a new massive Russian attack on Ukraine: at least 12 dead and 30 injured in the regions of Kiev, Khmelnytsky, Mykolaiv and Jitomir. Explosions in several cities and air raid alerts throughout the country. The Russian Defence Ministry meanwhile reports that with the latest exchange of 303 prisoners per side, Russia and Ukraine have completed the exchange of one thousand prisoners per side agreed in Istanbul. "In accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on 16 May in Istanbul, for the period from 23 to 25 May, the Russian and Ukrainian sides carried out an exchange according to the formula of one thousand for one thousand people," the ministry said, quoted by Interfax.

The situation on the ground is indeed dramatic: four people died and five others were wounded in the Russian attacks on the Khmelnytskyi region, according to local authorities, while at least four were killed and 16 wounded in the raid on the Kiev region. One dead and five others were injured in the Mykolaiv raid. Two children aged 8 and 12 and a 17-year-old teenager were killed in the Russian shelling in the north-western region of Jitomir. Ten other people were injured.

US envoy: Russian attacks shameful, ceasefire now

"The indiscriminate killing of women and children at night in their homes is a clear violation of the 1977 Geneva Peace Protocols protecting the innocent. These attacks are shameful. No more deaths. Cease fire now'. So says Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, after Russia's latest attacks on Ukraine.

Tajani, firm condemnation of new Russian raid against civilians

"Italy strongly condemns the new Russian attack that struck Ukrainian territory with drones and missiles with the sole purpose of striking the civilian population. Italy has always stood by Ukraine, the government continues to work with partners and allies for a just and lasting peace". Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote this on X.

Berlin: react with determination to Russian attacks

Kiev's allies 'must react with determination'. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told broadcaster ARD after the new massive Russian raids on Ukraine. "We cannot accept this," Vladimir Putin "is trampling on human rights, this is an affront, also against US President Donald Trump, who has tried with all his might to bring Putin to the negotiating table," he added.

A 367 ordnance blitz

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the defence forces shot down 45 missiles and 266 Russian drones out of a total of 367 projectiles launched, including 69 missiles and 298 kamikaze drones. The attack, described as 'combined', affected most Ukrainian regions and caused widespread damage. Air raids were reported in 22 locations, while debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in 15 areas, according to a statement released on Telegram. Authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage and the number of casualties.

Zelensky: 'US silence encourages Putin'

Ukrainian President Zelensky denounced the massive Russian attack overnight that hit over 30 towns and villages across the country, causing extensive damage, including university facilities in Kiev. According to reports on Telegram, Russian forces launched nearly 300 kamikaze drones - mostly Shahed - and around 70 missiles of various types, including ballistic missiles, targeting numerous regions including Kiev, Odessa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Sumy and others. "These are deliberate attacks against ordinary towns," he said. "There are deaths, including among children. My condolences to the affected families." Zelensky made an urgent appeal to the international community, blaming the silence of the US and other countries that encourages the Kremlin's aggression. "Every Russian terrorist attack is reason enough to impose new sanctions," he said. "Putin must be forced to think not about the next missile launches, but about how to end the war," he concluded.

"Every Russian terrorist attack of this kind is reason enough for new sanctions against Russia. Russia is prolonging this war and continues to kill every day. The world may be on holiday, but the war continues, regardless of weekends and weekdays. This cannot be ignored. America's silence and the silence of others in the world only encourages Putin,' Zelensky continued.

Kiev's war response

Ukraine responded as it could. Russian air defence units shot down a dozen drones headed towards Moscow, according to Mayor Sergey Sobyanin quoted by local media. Restrictions were imposed and then lifted at the Russian capital's Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports as well as Kaluga airport. The Migalovo air base in Russia's Tver region was also attacked by Ukrainian drones tonight, according to local media. Regional authorities said that eight unmanned aircraft were shot down in the area.

Putin's helicopter under Ukrainian drone attack

In the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, Russian President Vladimir Putin's helicopter reportedly ended up at the epicentre of a Ukrainian drone attack. This was reported by the Russian military officer, commander of an air defence unit, Yuri Dashkin, as reported by the Russian news agency Tass. Putin visited the Kursk region on 20 May.

Istanbul most likely location for new talks

Istanbul is currently the most likely venue for the second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, a source told the Russian news agency Tass. "The Vatican will definitely not become a venue for the meeting for a number of reasons, including logistical ones. Istanbul is the most likely option at the moment. Details will be announced shortly," the source told the Russian state agency.

Kiev, Russian raid on Kupyansk, 2 women dead

A Russian air raid with bombs on a building in Kupyansk killed two women and injured three others. This was reported by the head of the Kharkiv regional state administration, Oleg Sinegubov, as reported by Rbc Ukraina.