Photo : Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu/picture alliance
Photo : Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu/picture alliance
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
WAR ON THE GROUND
During 24 and 25 May, Politico reported on the prisoner swap of 1000 each between Russia and Ukraine of 1000 each. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “Among those who returned today are soldiers from our army, the State Border Service, and the National Guard of Ukraine.” US President Donald Trump that the negotiations could lead to attaining peace in both regions. In the initial phase of a major prisoner exchange agreement known as "1000-for-1000," Zelenskyy announced the return of 390 prisoners of war to Russia, with both sides reportedly releasing 270 soldiers and 120 civilians each. This marks the first significant swap since the start of the war, which has now lasted over three years and left thousands of prisoners on both sides—Russia is estimated to be holding between 8,000 and 10,000 Ukrainians.
On 25 May, RBC-UKRA reported that Russia attacked Ukraine resulting in the deaths of several. According to the report, Russia launched 298 drones and 69 missiles on Ukraine. This includes nine Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles launched from Kursk, Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea, and Kh-101 missiles from Saratov. Ukraine’s air defence claimed shooting down 45 cruise missiles and 127 were lost and suppressed by the electronic warfare systems. It said that the airstrikes hit 22 locations, and is viewed as the largest attack by Russia.
On 25 May, Polskie Radio reported that Russia launched 300 massive airstrikes on Kyiv and across Ukraine. Zelenskyy called for new international sanctions against Russia and an end to hostilities. Following the attack, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, called for strong international pressure on Russia.
On 23 May, Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said that Russian drones and missiles that struck Kyiv led to the deaths of eight. The missiles triggered fires, and debris, injuring more than 10. Head of Kyiv military administration Timur Tkachenko said that the fire broke out over an apartment building located opposite the bank of the Dnipro River. Officials have also reported the fires in Obolon, especially in the northern suburban regions.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 25 May, RT reported on a Ukraine drone striking the dome of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tula. Governor of Tula Oblast, Dmitry Milyaev, said that the drone strike destroyed the neighboring houses, but no casualties were recorded. The Russian Defence Ministry, in a statement said that the air defences shot down 16 Unmanned Armed Vehicles (UAVs), and intercepting 110 drones in Russian airspace. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the launch of the UAVs is an act of terrorism.
On 25 May, Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the swap of 1000 Russians prisoners for 1000 after the talks in Turkey. Ukraine’s prisoners were handed over, of which 303 each from both regions are servicemen. According to the ministry, the soldier will go to Belarus, receive medical and psychological care.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 23 May, The Guardian reported on Ukraine Ambassador to the UK Valerii Zaluzhnyi's comments that Ukraine should fight and reduce the loss of military personnel instead of attempting to recapture the Russian-occupied territories. He also said that Ukraine was not capable of another war, especially due to its demography and economy. Lastly, he said that Russia has all the resources and means to launch strikes anytime and anywhere.
On 23 May, EU’s Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, a former Prime Minister of Lithuania said that a loan programme worth EUR 150 billion to rearm Europe could be a breakthrough for Ukraine. Kubilius said that the request made by the member states for the EU backed loans, under the Security Action for Europe scheme (SAFE), has been approved. He further said that, once the loan is agreed and sealed, the member states will get six months to draw up plans for the defence projects and the amount of funds needed. They will take the loans and will use them for joint procurements that will supplement the needs of Ukraine. So far, Germany and Poland have announced their intentions for using the EU's funds, however, large indebted countries like France, Italy, and Spain have held back, as they do not want to increase their debts for defence.
References
“Ukrainian attack destroys Russian church dome,” RT, 25 May 2025
“Russia and Ukraine complete largest ever POW swap,” RT, 25 May 2025
Peter Beaumont, “Ukraine ‘should focus on hi-tech war of survival rather than recapturing territory’” The Guardian, 23 May 2025
Jenifer Rankin, “Loan scheme to rearm Europe could be ‘important breakthrough’ in Ukraine support,” The Guardian, 23 May 2025
Vladyslava Kovalenko, “Massive Russian strike hits all of Ukraine, children among victims,” RBC-UKRA, 25 May 2025
James Waterhouse, “Zelensky says 'US silence' over Russian attacks encourages Putin,” BBC, 25 May 2025
“Trump's silence on Ukraine 'only encourages Putin', Zelenskyy says after deadly night of Russian strikes,” LBC, 25 May 2025
“Kyiv mayor says city faces fresh onslaught of Russian drone, missile attacks,” CBC, 23 May 2025
“Trump rushes to announce largest Russia-Ukraine POW swap of the war,” Politico, 24 May 2025