Prisoner swap goes ahead as Kyiv mourns 24 killed in Russian strike on flats

A three-day ceasefire was agreed for May 9-11, 2026, covering Russia's Victory Day parade. The truce was marred by violations, and Ukrainian officials reported a substantial Russian drone and missile onslaught later in the week.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Vladimir Putin would visit Xi Jinping 'really soon' after Xi's talks with Donald Trump, with a focus on bilateral and international matters.

Zelensky stated the Kyiv missile had been produced in recent weeks, suggesting Russia is obtaining components and equipment in circumvention of sanctions.

Russian officials said Ukrainian drones hit the city of Ryazan, killing four people including a child and injuring 28. Social media images showed damage to two blocks of flats; debris damaged an entrance, and Ukrainian forces claimed to have struck Ryazan's oil refinery.

Zelensky noted that among the freed Ukrainians were those who fought during the siege of Mariupol and in border regions and at the Chornobyl plant; the exchange is described as part of a larger, planned swap.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 205 prisoners of war as part of a planned 1,000-prisoner swap. The release included Ukrainians who fought during the siege of Mariupol and in other areas; the Russians were taken to Belarus for medical and psychological support. The deal was brokered by the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

Kyiv observed a day of mourning for the 24 victims. President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the scene and urged pressure on Russia over civilian deaths.

Rescue services completed a 28-hour search of the rubble in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district; 24 people were confirmed dead and Kyiv observed a day of mourning. An 18-year-old rescuer, Ivan, helped save a disabled woman during the operation.

A Russian missile attack on a nine-storey Kyiv block of flats left 24 people dead, including three girls, with 18 flats destroyed. The building was described as largely levelled by an X-101 cruise missile.