**Russian Attacks on Ukraine Leave 2 Dead, 23 Injured**
A devastating wave of Russian attacks swept across Ukraine overnight, killing at least two people and injuring 23 others. The assaults came as Moscow continues to reject a complete ceasefire and escalates strikes targeting civilian areas.
According to regional officials, the attacks occurred in several regions, including Donetsk Oblast, Kyiv Oblast, Kherson Oblast, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In Donetsk Oblast, one resident was killed in Yablunivka, while eight others were wounded across the region.
In Kyiv Oblast, a Russian drone attack overnight killed one person and injured three more. The assault also damaged infrastructure sites, including an apartment building and several houses.
The attacks are part of a larger pattern of aggression by Russia against Ukraine. At the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia was estimated to have around 3,300 operational tanks. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 88 drones, while another 128 vanished from radars, likely used as decoys to overwhelm defense systems.
**Escalating Conflict**
The recent attacks come as Moscow continues to reject a complete ceasefire and escalates strikes targeting civilian areas across Ukraine. The Russian military has been using coordinated attacks involving electronic warfare units, mobile fire teams, and anti-aircraft systems.
The number of casualties on the Russian side is also significant, with over 1,130 casualties reported in the past day.
**International Reaction**
The international community has condemned Russia’s actions, with U.S. President Donald Trump calling for a ceasefire and an end to the “very violent war” between Ukraine and Russia.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome, reaffirming his country’s support for Ukraine. The Vatican has also been mentioned as a possible peace broker, although U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that it would not be called a “broker,” but rather a place where both sides could find common ground.
**Prisoner Swap and Citizenship**
A major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia is expected to take place next week, involving around 1,000 POWs from each side. The agreement was reached in Istanbul.
In another development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomed what he described as a “constructive” role by Washington in encouraging Kyiv to accept President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to resume peace talks in Istanbul.
The Kremlin has also announced an expedited process for citizens of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to apply for Russian citizenship.
**Cyberattacks and Drone Strikes**
Russian forces launched a massive drone assault across Ukraine overnight, using 62 drones including Shahed-type attack UAVs and decoy drones. A Russian strike on Sumy Oblast killed nine people and injured four more, with a shuttle bus targeted near the city of Bilopillia.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that his party’s website was hit by cyberattacks, along with those of its coalition partners.
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