Russia launches biggest drone attack on Ukraine since start of war, killing at least 1

Published: Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 12:35 pm

Russia Unleashes Largest Drone Attack on Ukraine, Talks Fail to Yield Ceasefire

KYIV, Ukraine – Russia launched its most extensive drone attack on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, according to Ukrainian officials. The assault, which occurred overnight into Sunday, saw a barrage of 273 drones and decoys targeting the Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk regions. Tragically, the attacks resulted in the death of a 28-year-old woman in the Kyiv region, with three others, including a 4-year-old child, wounded.

The aggressive aerial assault followed unsuccessful talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on Friday. The discussions, which lasted less than two hours, failed to produce a ceasefire despite a proposal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face in Turkey. Putin, however, proposed direct negotiations at a lower level, rejecting the 30-day ceasefire urged by Ukraine and its Western allies, including the U.S.

While a ceasefire remained elusive, both sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each, a move that Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov suggested could happen as early as next week.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Putin on Monday, followed by conversations with Zelenskyy and NATO leaders, to discuss ending the war.

Ukraine's air force reported intercepting 88 drones and losing another 128, likely due to electronic jamming. The previous largest known single drone attack occurred on the eve of the war's third anniversary, with 267 drones. Russia's Defense Ministry also claimed to have shot down seven Ukrainian drones overnight and an additional 18 on Sunday morning.

BNN's Perspective: The escalation in drone attacks, coupled with the failure of talks, paints a grim picture. While the prisoner exchange offers a glimmer of hope, the continued violence underscores the urgent need for a diplomatic breakthrough. The involvement of U.S. leaders, including President Trump, could potentially offer a new avenue for negotiations, but the path to peace remains fraught with challenges.

Keywords: Russia, Ukraine, drone attack, Kyiv, war, ceasefire, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Istanbul talks, prisoner exchange, Donald Trump, NATO, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, air defense, invasion, military, conflict, news, AP, breaking news

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