Ukraine reported a significant escalation in aerial assaults by Russia, marking a record number of drone attacks overnight that targeted multiple regions, including the capital city, Kyiv. Tragically, one woman lost her life amid the chaos of the strikes.
These attacks came just two days following the first direct peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in over three years, which ultimately did not lead to a truce. In remarks made shortly after the discussions, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his determination to eliminate what he referred to as the root causes of the Ukraine conflict while ensuring Russia’s security.
According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia unleashed a staggering total of 273 Shahed attack drones and various types of imitator drones. Ukrainian forces managed to intercept 88 of these drones, while another 128 went off course without causing any harm. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko characterized this assault as a grim record for drone strikes, further asserting that Russia’s objective appeared to be the continuation of civilian casualties.
In a rebuttal, the Russian military claimed to have intercepted 25 Ukrainian drones during the same timeframe. Putin, in an interview for Russian state television, reiterated Moscow’s goal of addressing the underlying issues that led to the ongoing crisis, aiming to foster conditions for lasting peace alongside guarantees for Russia’s security. He mentioned that Russian forces currently occupy around 20% of Ukrainian territory and possess the necessary military resources to achieve their objectives.
The recent negotiations, held in Turkey, marked the first direct encounter between the two nations since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The talks resulted in an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners from each side. Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, outlined that the “next step” would be arranging a meeting between President Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, to which Russia indicated it would respond positively.
However, the Kremlin stipulated that the prisoner swap must be completed and that both parties must outline their visions for a ceasefire before further discussions could take place. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would be speaking with Putin by phone, adding an international dimension to the ongoing conflict.
The overnight drone assaults have drawn widespread condemnation from Ukrainian officials, with Zelensky’s top aide, Andriy Yermak, asserting that for Russia, the negotiations in Istanbul served merely as a facade. He emphasized that Putin’s intentions remain rooted in a desire for continued conflict.
