Zelenskyy vows to answer after Russia killed 24 people in Kyiv | News of the Russia-Ukraine war

Ukraine’s military said Thursday’s attack was one of the biggest air strikes since the start of the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says to beat Attacks on Russia’s oil and military facilities are “justifiable” after Moscow demolished buildings in Kyiv, killing at least 24 people.

On Friday, Zelenskyy warned that the Russian attack will not be punished, saying that he discussed a long-term strike with the military, security and intelligence authorities, as a day of sadness was seen in Kyiv after Thursday’s attack on a nine-story building in the city of Darnytskyi.

Ukraine’s military said the strike, which also killed three children, was one of the biggest Russian attacks in the country since the conflict began more than four years ago.

Zelenskyy added that he had discussed what he described as Moscow’s attempt to “draw Belarus deeper into the war” with government officials, and said Russia was preparing to attack more than 20 polling stations in Ukraine. He said his office and government residence are expected, including government buildings and military posts.

Ukraine began to respond on Friday to Russian aggression, launching a long-range attack that targeted forces and weapons in several Russian regions. At least four people, including a child, have been killed in a drone strike in the city of Ryazan, according to the regional governor. Ukrainian drones also hit the region’s oil refinery, one of the country’s largest.

Changes in POW value

Pictures of crying Ukrainian soldiers and jubilant Russian soldiers surfaced on Friday after the two countries ended operations exchange of 205 prisoners of war each.

The exchange was part of a three-day shutdown last week, ordered by United States President Donald Trump. The two groups are expected to exchange up to 1,000 prisoners each.

The remains of the war dead were also exchanged, with Russia donating 526 bodies in exchange for the remains of 41 soldiers.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the war was imminent the end of it. His comments were later echoed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Zelenskyy, however, disputed Putin’s comments, saying that Moscow had no intention of ending the conflict. Trump, who has made ending the war a key promise during his 2024 election campaign, later said Thursday’s strike on a Ukrainian building could delay peace efforts.

“It’s one that we want to see settled. Until last night, it looked good, but they (the Ukrainians) won a lot last night. So it will happen (the end of the war). But it’s a shame,” said Trump.