Russian drones and missiles bombarded more than two dozen cities across Ukraine overnight as the countries continue the largest multi-day prisoner exchange of their ongoing war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the social platform X that rescue efforts are underway in 30 Ukrainian cities and villages on Sunday and called for more sanctions against Russia.
“Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day. The world may go on a weekend break, but the war continues, regardless of weekends and weekdays,” he wrote. “This cannot be ignored. Silence of America, silence of others around the world only encourage Putin.”
He called on the U.S., Europe and “all those around the world who seek peace” to forcefully respond to Russia’s attacks and put more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped,” he wrote. “The war can be stopped, but only through the necessary force of pressure on Russia.”
“Putin must be forced to think not about launching missiles, but about ending the war,” he added.
More than 300 war prisoners were returned to Ukraine each day Friday through Sunday, Zelensky confirmed online — part of a “1,000 for 1,000” swap deal the countries reached during recent negotiations in Turkey, Zelensky said.
Moscow hasn’t commented on its latest attack.
Photos from the Associated Press showed homes leveled, as rescuers sifted through rubble. According to Ukrainian officials, 12 people were killed and dozens more injured.
President Trump has been pressuring the two sides to reach a peace deal to end the war that has stretched for three years since Russia invaded its Eastern European neighbor, but on Monday backed away from calling for an immediate ceasefire, instead encouraging Zelensky and Putin to work on a framework for a full resolution.
The White House didn’t immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.
