Zelenskyy vows response after Russian strike kills 24 in Kyiv

"Ukraine's air force said Thursday's attack was part of the largest aerial assault since the war began. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says strikes targeting Russia's oil industry and military production facilities are entirely justified after Moscow flattened an apartment block in Kyiv, killing at least 24 people. On Friday, Zelenskyy warned that Russia's attacks would not go unpunished, saying he had discussed long-range strikes with senior military, security and intelligence officials, as a day of mourning was observed in Kyiv following Thursday's attack on a nine-storey apartment block in the capital's Darnytskyi district."

"Zelenskyy added that he had also discussed what he described as Moscow's attempts to draw Belarus deeper into the war with senior officials, and alleged that Russia was preparing strikes against more than 20 decision-making centres across Ukraine. He said his office and state residence were among the targets, alongside government buildings and military command posts. Ukraine began responding on Friday to Russian strikes, launching a large-scale long-range drone attack targeting energy and military infrastructure across several Russian regions."

"At least four people, including a child, were killed in a drone strike in the city of Ryazan, according to the regional governor. Ukrainian drones also struck the local oil refinery, one of the largest in the country. Footage of tearful Ukrainian soldiers and jubilant Russian troops emerged on Friday after the two countries completed an exchange of 205 prisoners of war each. The swap formed part of last week's three-day ceasefire, brokered by United States President Donald Trump. Both sides are expected to exchange a total of 1,000 prisoners each."

Russia carried out the largest aerial assault since the war began, striking a nine-storey apartment block in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district and killing at least 24 people, including three children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said strikes targeting Russia’s oil industry and military production facilities were justified after the Kyiv attack. He warned that Russia’s attacks would not go unpunished and said he discussed long-range strikes with senior military, security, and intelligence officials. Zelenskyy also alleged Russia was preparing strikes against more than 20 decision-making centers across Ukraine, including his office and state residence. Ukraine responded with a large-scale long-range drone attack targeting energy and military infrastructure in multiple Russian regions, killing people in Ryazan and striking an oil refinery. Ukraine and Russia completed a prisoner exchange of 205 each, part of a ceasefire brokered by the United States, with further exchanges expected.

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