Ukraine has launched a major nighttime drone assault against multiple Russian regions and Russian-held Crimea. Russia's Ministry of Defense reports its air defenses intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones. This appears to be one of the largest such attacks since the full-scale invasion began.
The assault targeted a dozen Russian regions and the surrounding seas. Moscow's mayor confirmed 47 drones were destroyed as they approached the capital.
Simultaneously, Ukraine's air force reported stopping 174 of 189 Russian drones overnight. However, four Russian ballistic missiles breached defenses and hit targets.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the two nations completed a prisoner exchange. Officials state 160 individuals from each side were released on Friday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the return of soldiers captured in 2022, including defenders from Mariupol and other key sectors.