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Monday Briefing: Russia Bombards Ukraine
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Emergency workers yesterday after a Russian strike in Ukraine’s Kyiv region.Credit…Thomas Peter/Reuters
Russia launched one of its largest bombardments yet
Russia unleashed one of its largest drone and missile barrages of the war on Ukraine over the weekend, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens across the country. Ukrainian officials said the hourslong assault showed Moscow had no interest in a truce.
The attacks were part of Russia’s recent escalation, which has brought a spike in Ukrainian civilian casualties despite cease-fire negotiations. Ukraine’s interior minister said that 13 regions had come under attack and that more than 60 people were injured. Russia appears to have been increasingly targeting cities more intensively.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine cited the attacks as further proof that “Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day.” On social media, he called for increased pressure on President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
It was the second large-scale attack in two nights and the third in just a week. Nearly 300 drones were used — a number unthinkable at the start of the war.
Diplomacy: After the air assault on Sunday, Russia and Ukraine said they had wrapped up a major prisoner exchange that began on Friday. Each side said that 303 more people had been released, bringing the total number of prisoners exchanged from each side to 1,000.
Related: After a stint with a “V.I.P.” drone unit led by a member of Parliament, Russian officials return to work — and promotions.
