Russia and Ukraine swap hundreds more prisoners as another attack on Kyiv leaves 3 dead

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds more prisoners Saturday as part of a major swap that amounted to a rare moment of cooperation in otherwise failed efforts to reach a ceasefire.

The exchange came hours after Kyiv came under a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack and authorities said another combined aerial attack that started Saturday night and stretched into Sunday morning had left three people dead in the “Kyiv region,” according to Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the Kyiv regional military administration.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko said “there are already 10 injured" is Kyiv as of 3 a.m. Sunday, adding that a student dormitory in Holosiivskyi district was hit a drone and the exterior of one of its walls was on fire.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russia’s defense ministry said each side brought home 307 more soldiers on Saturday, a day after each released a total of 390 combatants and civilians. Further releases expected over the weekend are set to make the swap the largest in more than three years of war.

“We expect more to come tomorrow,” Zelenskyy said on his official Telegram channel. Russia's defense ministry also said it expected the exchange to be continued, though it did not give details.

Hours earlier, explosions and anti-aircraft fire were heard throughout Kyiv as many sought shelter in subway stations as Russian drones and missiles targeted the Ukrainian capital overnight.

In talks held in Istanbul earlier this month — the first time the two sides met face to face for peace talks since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion — Kyiv and Moscow agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners of war and civilian detainees each.

Officials said Russia attacked Ukraine with 14 ballistic missiles and 250 Shahed drones overnight while Ukrainian forces shot down six missiles and neutralized 245 drones — 128 drones were shot down and 117 were thwarted using electronic warfare.

The Kyiv City Military Administration said it was one of the biggest combined missile and drone attacks on the capital.

“A difficult night for all of us,” the administration said in a statement.

Posting on X, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it “clear evidence that increased sanctions pressure on Moscow is necessary to accelerate the peace process."

Posting on X, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke of “another night of terror for Ukrainian civilians.”

“These are not the actions of a country seeking peace,” Lammy said of the Russian strike.

Katarina Mathernová, the European Union's ambassador to Kyiv, described the attack as “horrific."

“If anyone still doubts Russia wants war to continue — read the news,” Katarina Mathernová wrote on the social network.

The debris of intercepted missiles and drones fell in at least six Kyiv city districts. According to the acting head of the city's military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, six people required medical care after the attack and two fires were sparked in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district.

The Obolon district, where a residential building was heavily damaged in the attack, was the hardest hit with at least five wounded in the area, the administration said.

Yurii Bondarchuk, a local resident, said the air raid siren “started as usual, then the drones started to fly around as they constantly do.” Moments later, he heard a boom and saw shattered glass fly through the air.

“The balcony is totally wiped out, as well as the windows and the doors,” he said as he stood in the dark, smoking a cigarette to calm his nerves while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.

The air raid alert in Kyiv lasted more than seven hours, warning of incoming missiles and drones.

Kyiv's mayor, Vitalii Klitschko, warned residents ahead of the attack that more than 20 Russian strike drones were heading toward the city. As the attack continued, he said drone debris fell on a shopping mall and a residential building in Obolon. Emergency services were headed to the site, Klitschko said.

Separately, 13 civilians were killed on Friday and overnight into Saturday in Russian attacks in Ukraine's south, east and north, regional authorities said.

Three people died after a Russian ballistic missile targeted port infrastructure in Odesa on the Black Sea, local Gov. Oleh Kiper reported. Russia later said the strike Friday targeted a cargo ship carrying military equipment.

Russia’s defense ministry on Saturday claimed its forces overnight struck various military targets across Ukraine, including missile and drone-producing plants, a reconnaissance center and a launching site for anti-aircraft missiles.

The prisoner swap on Friday was the first phase of a complicated deal involving the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side.

It took place at the border with Belarus, in northern Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

The released Russians were taken to Belarus for medical treatment, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

POWs arrived at the medical facility in the Chernihiv region for a second day on Saturday. But for many their arrival was bittersweet.

Those who were not reunited with their loved ones took solace in the released POWs providing some information about when their relatives were last seen.

Anna Marchenko, the daughter of a missing Ukrainian serviceman, was elated when a released POW said they had seen her father.

“This is such a big news. It’s like a fresh breath of air,” she said. “I didn’t see him, but at least it’s some news. At least it’s news that gives us the opportunity to continue to breathe and live in peace."

However, the exchange — the latest of dozens of swaps since the war began and the biggest involving Ukrainian civilians so far — did not herald a halt in the fighting.

Battles continued along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, where tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed, and neither country has relented in its deep strikes.

After the May 16 Istanbul meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called the prisoner swap a “confidence-building measure” and said the parties had agreed in principle to meet again.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that there has been no agreement yet on the venue for the next round of talks as diplomatic maneuvering continued.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow would give Ukraine a draft document outlining its conditions for a “sustainable, long-term, comprehensive” peace agreement, once the ongoing prisoner exchange had finished.

European leaders have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of dragging his feet in peace efforts while he tries to press his larger army’s battlefield initiative and capture more Ukrainian land.

The Istanbul meeting revealed that both sides remained far apart on key conditions for ending the fighting. One such condition for Ukraine, backed by its Western allies, is a temporary ceasefire as a first step toward a peaceful settlement.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said that overnight and early on Saturday its forces shot down over 100 Ukrainian drones over six provinces in western and southern Russia.

The drone strikes injured three people in the Tula region south of Moscow, local Gov. Dmitriy Milyaev said, and sparked a fire at an industrial site there.

Andriy Kovalenko, of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, said Saturday the drones hit a plant in Tula that makes chemicals used in explosives and rocket fuel.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Russian servicemen leave a plane upon arrival to Chkalovsky airport, outside Moscow, Russia, after returning from captivity by a POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)

In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Russian servicemen board a bus upon arrival to Chkalovsky airport, outside Moscow, Russia, after returning from captivity by a POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)

In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Russian servicemen hold a Russian flag upon arrival to Chkalovsky airport, outside Moscow, Russia, after returning from captivity by a POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)

In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Russian servicemen react in a bus upon arrival to Chkalovsky airport, outside Moscow, Russia, after returning from captivity by a POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)

Ukrainian soldiers walk though human corridor with people holding photos of their missed relatives after returning from captivity after a POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine, in Chernyhiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A woman cries during a POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine, in Chernyhiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A Ukrainian soldier hugs a woman after returning from captivity during a POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine, in Chernyhiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

An Ukrainian soldier hugs with women after returning from captivity during a POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine, in Chernyhiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Ukrainian soldiers walk after a POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine, in Chernyhiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

In this photo taken from a video released by Russian Defense Ministry press service, Russian servicemen pose after returning from captivity after an exchange between Russia and Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Belarus, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

In this photo taken from a video released by Russian Defense Ministry press service, a woman who was captured by Ukrainian Army in Kursk region of Russia, cries while riding a bus after returning from captivity after an exchange between Russia and Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Belarus, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

In this photo, taken from a video released by Russian Defense Ministry press service, Russian servicemen sit in a bus after returning from captivity after an exchange between Russia and Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Belarus, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

In this photo taken from a video released by Russian Defense Ministry press service, a Russian serviceman, right, speaks on the phone after returning from captivity after an exchange between Russia and Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Belarus, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

In this photo taken from a video released by Russian Defense Ministry press service, Russian servicemen ride a bus after returning from captivity after an exchange between Russia and Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Belarus, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defence press service, soldiers fire during Russian drones attacks near Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025, (Anatolii Lysianskyi/Ukraine's 127th Separate Brigade via AP)

A firefighter works on the site of a residential building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)

A woman carries her dog as she walks on a street with pieces of broken glass at the site of a residential building that was damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)

Emergency workers navigates his colleagues at the site of residential building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)

Residential building is on fire as following a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025 (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)

Firefighters works in residential building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025 (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)

Firefighters pass water to each other after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025 (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)

Firefighters extinguish a fire in a residential building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025 (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)

Firefighters work in residential building damaged after Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025 (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)

Firefighters are working on a site of Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025 (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)

People take shelter at Kontraktova Ploshcha subway station during a Russian drone and missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Illia Novikov)

People take shelter at Kontraktova Ploshcha subway station during a Russian drone and missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Illia Novikov)

World War II Leningrad siege survivor Lyudmila Vasilyeva, 84, exits a courthouse in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, May 23, 2025, following her hearing on charges of discrediting the Russian armed forces after she held a poster calling for an end to military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

A Ukrainian woman holds photos of servicemen in captivity during a POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine, in Chernyhiv region, Ukraine, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Keionte Scott peeked over at the Miami sideline to see the reaction of his teammates as he sprinted 72 yards untouched for a touchdown returning an interception against defending national champion Ohio State.

They certainly were excited, as were a Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver and a former coach who won national championships with the Hurricanes.

Scott picked off a screen pass by Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin, Carson Beck threw a touchdown pass and 10th-ranked Miami shocked the Buckeyes 24-14 on Wednesday night at the Cotton Bowl in the first College Football Playoff quarterfinal.

“I was full of emotions. ... That was a pretty cool moment,” said Scott, who has TD returns on both of his interceptions this season. “Just having fun. ... That’s what this team relies on, man, just going out there playing free and just having fun.”

The Hurricanes (12-2, CFP No. 10 seed) have won two playoff games to get into football’s final four after needing an at-large berth to make the 12-team field, after not even playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. One more win and they will get to play for a national championship in their home stadium.

Next for Miami in coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season is a CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 against No. 3 seed Georgia or No. 6 seed Ole Miss, the SEC teams in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night.

There hasn’t been a national title for “The U” since 2001, when Cristobal was a standout offensive tackle for the Hurricanes and part of his second championship there. The Hurricanes were denied a repeat the following season with a double-overtime loss in the Fiesta Bowl to Ohio State, the only other time the teams met in a bowl — and the last Miami played in that game.

“It is 100% not about me. I’m part of their team, I’m a part of that family,” Cristobal said. “It is my obligation as a former Miami Hurricane player and all the things that Miami did for my brother and I to do my best to try to provide these guys with even better opportunities so they can fulfill all the great things they are destined for.”

Before receiver Michael Irvin and coach Jimmy Johnson were Super Bowl champions with the Dallas Cowboys, they were part of the Hurricanes' 1987 national championship. Irvin excitedly ran down the sideline while Scott was scoring for a 14-0 lead, and Johnson was nearby when acknowledged by Cristobal during the on-field trophy presentation.

Now it's third-ranked Ohio State (12-2, CFP No. 2 seed), which went into the game as a 9 1/2-point favorite according to BetMGM Sportsbook, that can't win back-to-back national titles for the first time in program history.

The Buckeyes hadn't played since a 13-10 loss to now-No. 1 Indiana in a Big Ten championship game matchup of undefeated teams on Dec. 6. They still got a first-round bye, then lost just like all four teams that went directly to the quarterfinal round in the inaugural 12-team playoff last season.

“We worked really hard during the last three weeks leading up to this game to come out of the gates and win the first quarter, win the first half, be ready to go,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said. “I think the guys bought into it. But at the end of the day, we didn’t get it done.”

Scott's interception return came only 1:42 after Beck's quick pass to Mark Fletcher Jr. out of the backfield for a 9-yard score.

Beck, who was part of Georgia's national titles in 2021 and 2022 when Stetson Bennett was the starter, completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards.

When asked what stood out to him about these Hurricanes, Beck said, “Just the way that this team has responded to adversity. We knew coming into today that it wasn’t going to be easy.”

The TD throw to Fletcher, who also ran 19 times for 90 yards and was the game's offensive MVP, was the seventh of 13 consecutive completions for Beck. That set a record in the Cotton Bowl, which was played for the 90th time.

Sayin, a freshman backup behind Will Howard for Ohio State's championship run last season, was 22 of 35 for 287 yards with two interceptions and a TD to Jeremiah Smith. Sayin was sacked five times.

AP All-America receiver Smith, the Miami native, caught seven of those passes for 157 yards, including a 14-yard TD on a fourth down in the fourth quarter.

Carter Davis added a 49-yard field goal in the third quarter and ChaMar Brown ran for a 5-yard TD in the game's final minute for the Hurricanes, whose 24 points were the most Ohio State gave up this season.

Miami: The Hurricanes have won six games in a row since an overtime loss Nov. 1 at SMU, less than 25 miles from AT&T Stadium, where the Cotton Bowl is played. They also made their CFP debut in the Lone Star State, winning 10-3 at No. 7 Texas A&M in the first round on Dec. 20.

Ohio State: All-America safety Caleb Downs, who started in the CFP for the third season in a row, became the first player to force two fumbles in a CFP game. ... The Buckeyes had gone four consecutive quarters — the equivalent of a full game — until Bo Jackson’s 1-yard TD run to cap its opening drive of the second half.

Miami waits to see who it will play in the Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State is scheduled to open the the 2026 season at home against Ball State on Sept. 5.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Former NFL football players Ray Lewis, left, and Michael Irvin react after Miami running back Charmar Brown, not visible, scored a rushing touchdown during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Ohio State Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, right, hugs defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr. following the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Ohio State Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, center, is sacked by Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr., left, and defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Miami quarterback Carson Beck, right, prepares to hand off to running back Mark Fletcher Jr. during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Ohio State Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding, with Joe McGuire holding, misses a field goal against Miami during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day looks o during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Miami Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Miami defensive back Jakobe Thomas, right, makes a tackle on Ohio State tight end Will Kacmarek during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)