From: Transform Ukraine By Douglas Landro / May 26, 2025
Ukraine completes its largest prisoner exchange as Russia unleashes its most devastating assault, killing 12 civilians including three children while diplomatic efforts crumble
Summary of the Day – May 25, 2025
Ukraine’s greatest humanitarian triumph collided with Russia’s most brutal civilian assault as the final phase of the largest prisoner exchange brought 303 Ukrainians home while Russian forces launched their most devastating attack of the entire conflict. The overnight barrage of 367 weapons killed 12 people, including three children from a single family, and wounded 79 others across 12 regions, damaging over 80 residential buildings with 22 direct strikes recorded. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov promised to reveal Moscow’s peace terms following the exchange’s completion, while Ukrainian forces struck back at Russian energy infrastructure and disrupted Moscow’s airports. Polish fighter jets scrambled, Chinese support for Russia’s war machine was exposed, and Ukrainian wounded warriors competed in Chicago’s Soldier Field 10 run, meeting rock band AC/DC. Criticism mounted over the prisoner exchange’s failure to include Azov fighters and long-held civilians.
Homecoming at Dawn: 303 Heroes Return to Freedom
Ukraine completed the final phase of its historic 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange with Russia on May 25, bringing home 303 prisoners of war in what marked the largest such swap since the full-scale invasion began three years ago. The exchange, conducted over three days from May 23-25, represented the only concrete achievement from the first direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in three years, held in Istanbul on May 16.
“I thank the team that worked around the clock to successfully carry out this exchange. We will definitely bring back every single one of our people from Russian captivity,” President Volodymyr Zelensky declared as families across Ukraine prepared to welcome their loved ones home.
Voice of Ukraine 