United News of Bangladesh

The death toll from a Russian missile strike on a residential apartment building in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has risen to 24, including three teenagers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday. Emergency crews completed search and recovery operations at the destroyed nine-story building after more than a day of clearing rubble, Zelenskyy wrote on social media platform X. According to the Ukrainian air force, the cruise missile strike was part of Russia’s largest aerial assault since the start of its full-scale invasion, with Kyiv being the main target. At least 48 people were injured in the attack, including two children. Zelenskyy said the strike came amid a broader wave of Russian attacks in the days following a brief ceasefire period, which US President Donald Trump had earlier urged both Kyiv and Moscow to observe. Despite the ceasefire call, fighting reportedly continued at reduced intensity. He further claimed that more than 1,560 drones had been launched against Ukrainian areas since Wednesday, damaging around 180 sites nationwide, including dozens of residential buildings. Ukraine’s air force also reported shooting down hundreds of drones in response. In a separate development, Russian authorities said Ukrainian drone attacks caused casualties in Russia’s Ryazan region, including four deaths. Ukraine has not commented on the claim. Kyiv observed a day of mourning on Friday, and Zelenskyy visited the site of the strike. He also said the missile used in the attack was recently manufactured, accusing Russia of continuing to obtain sanctioned components for weapons production. Meanwhile, both sides confirmed a prisoner exchange involving 205 captives each, marking the first phase of a planned larger swap, with mediation support from the United Arab Emirates.