A recent Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions has intensified. This follows a rare prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, which exchanged a total of 1,000 detainees.

Kyiv is gearing up on May 25 for the third day of a mass prisoner exchange with Moscow following scenes of raw emotion as Ukrainian prisoners returned from incarceration in Russia, even as both sides exchanged drone attacks on the opposing capital cities.

The first direct Ukraine-Russia talks did not deliver a ceasefire but it did result in the largest prisoner swap of the war. CHERNIHIV REGION, Ukraine — For hours Friday, a crowd of hopefuls stood on the roadside wrapped in blue-and-yellow flags and clutching photos of captured Ukrainian soldiers — their eyes peeled for any sign of buses.