• Russia's overnight attacks killed at least 12 people in Ukraine, including three children.
• The strikes occurred amid a major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia.
• Ukrainian officials reported significant missile and drone attacks across multiple regions.
• International diplomatic efforts to broker peace are ongoing.
• President Zelenskyy calls for stronger sanctions against Russia to stop the brutality.

In a significant escalation, Russian strikes killed at least 12 individuals in Ukraine during overnight attacks on May 25, including three children aged eight, 12, and 17 in the Zhytomyr region. Ukraine's emergency services described the night as one of "terror" with the capital Kyiv targeted amid ongoing efforts for a major prisoner swap, which marks the largest exchange since Moscow's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, according to Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and TRT Global.

The Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces launched a formidable assault involving 298 drones and 69 missiles, marking one of the most extensive air attacks in weeks. Emergency services recorded four fatalities and 16 injuries in Kyiv, with additional casualties across the western Khmelnytskyi region and southern Mykolaiv, further highlighting the devastating impacts of the bombing as civilian infrastructures were reportedly destroyed, as detailed by Al Jazeera and Le Monde.

The intense assaults occurred during a critical moment when both countries were engaged in the biggest prisoner exchange to date, with reports indicating that 307 Russian prisoners of war were swapped for the same number of Ukrainian soldiers. Notably, as the fighting escalated, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's actions, advocating for heightened international pressure and stronger sanctions to bring an end to the ongoing conflict. He expressed these sentiments during updates regarding the significant military engagements that continue to unfold, according to Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and TRT Global.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported intercepting several drones targeting Moscow, imposing restrictions at four major airports, including Sheremetyevo. As the conflict continues, diplomatic efforts have been initiated by international players, including the United States, seeking to broker a ceasefire. However, it remains to be seen how these efforts will impact the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis faced by the Ukrainian population, as underscored by the recent tragic events, according to Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and TRT Global.