Ukraine Strikes Back
Ukraine has launched a “large-scale” operation targeting Russian military aircraft, reportedly destroying over 40 planes at a base in eastern Siberia, thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
According to a Ukrainian security official speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, preparations for the operation took more than a year and a half and were personally overseen by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack used drones transported in containers by truck deep into Russian territory, reportedly hitting 41 bombers stationed at multiple airfields, including the Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk over 4,000 kilometers away from Ukraine. targeted regions included Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur.
While Ukraine regularly carries out drone strikes on Russian territory, this is the first such attack at such a deep range from the frontlines.
Record-Breaking Russian Drone Assault on Ukraine
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported that its territory was attacked by 472 Russian drones overnight, a record number since the start of the war.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia launched 472 drones and 7 missiles, with Ukrainian defenses successfully shooting down 385 of them. A spokesperson described the attack as the largest drone assault since the invasion began in February 2022.
Peace Talks in Istanbul: A New Chapter?
Amid the intensifying conflict, Russian media reported that Moscow’s delegation departed for Istanbul to attend the next round of peace talks with Ukraine, scheduled for Monday, June 2nd, 2025.
Earlier on Sunday, President Zelensky confirmed that a Ukrainian delegation would also be traveling to Turkey, after Kyiv had previously remained vague about its participation.
Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s priorities include achieving a “complete and unconditional ceasefire,” the return of prisoners, and the repatriation of Ukrainian children whom Kyiv accuses Moscow of abducting.
The first round of talks in Istanbul took place on May 16, but produced limited results, with both sides only agreeing to a prisoner exchange. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the positions of Ukraine and Russia remain far apart.
President Zelensky called for “preparations for a top-level meeting” a direct encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While Zelensky has previously proposed such a summit, Putin has so far shown no interest in participating.
Will this next round of talks finally lead to an end to the war, or is peace still out of reach?
