Ukraine Launches 660-Drone Barrage, Swaps 160 Prisoners With Russia

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 26

Russia said its air defenses intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones overnight across 12 regions, Crimea and nearby seas, in what appeared to be one of Kyiv's biggest drone assaults of the war.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 47 drones were downed en route to the capital, while the reported scale topped the previous high this year of 556 drones on May 17.
Ukraine also said its defenses destroyed 174 of 189 Russian drones overnight, though four of seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles got through and struck multiple locations.
Amid the fighting, the two sides exchanged 160 prisoners each on Friday; Zelenskyy said all freed Ukrainians had been held since 2022, including defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal.
From Bahrain, Secretary Marco Rubio said Washington had only discussed a proposal with Russia rather than reached any Ukraine agreement, while stressing the US still wants to help end the war.

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Fox News3h ago

Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Attack, Swaps 160 Prisoners with Russia

NPR3h ago

Ukraine unleashes heavy drone bombardment as Russia strikes : NPR

Euronews21h ago

Russia and Ukraine swap 160 soldiers each in latest prisoner exchange | Euronews

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Ukraine’s 660-Drone Offensive and Prisoner Swap: Escalating the War and Testing Russia’s Defenses, June 2026

Overview

On June 26, 2026, Ukraine sharply escalated its drone campaign, launching coordinated attacks on Russian-held Crimea and regions within Russia. This marked a new phase in the conflict, as Ukraine aimed to isolate the Black Sea peninsula and increase pressure on Russia by leveraging advanced drone technology. The strikes caused widespread disruptions in Crimea, including fuel shortages, emergency measures, and the cancellation of summer activities. These actions highlight Ukraine’s evolving strategy to disrupt critical infrastructure and daily life in occupied territories, signaling a significant shift in the war’s dynamics and intensifying challenges for Russian control.

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