Largest Drone Assault Since War Began: Russia's Relentless Attack on Ukraine Raises Doubts Over Peace
In a stark escalation of the conflict, Russia launched its most extensive drone attack on Ukraine since the war's commencement, according to Ukrainian military officials on Sunday. This intensified assault occurred despite direct peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv just days prior, casting a shadow over any immediate prospects for de-escalation.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that a staggering 273 Shahed drones were unleashed overnight, primarily targeting the Kyiv region. Tragically, a 28-year-old woman was killed, and three others, including a four-year-old child, sustained injuries, as confirmed by Mykola Kalashnik, the governor of the Kyiv region.
Ruslan Stefanchuk, head of Ukraine's parliament, condemned the attacks in a social media post: "The air raid alarm lasted almost nine hours. This is what Putin's 'sincere desire for peace' looks like." He further detailed the destruction of residential buildings, damage to a high-rise, and fires engulfing garages, labeling the assault as "terror in its purest form."
Ukraine's emergency services reported that the "massive attack" ignited numerous fires, prompting the deployment of 55 rescue workers.
Elsewhere, Russian shelling in the Donetsk region resulted in one fatality and eight injuries on Saturday, according to Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk regional military administration. Russian drones also targeted the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, as reported by regional military chiefs.
Conversely, Russian state news agency TASS cited the defense ministry in claiming that Russian forces had downed 75 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours.
These recent attacks follow a prior Russian drone strike on a bus in Ukraine, which claimed at least nine lives and injured seven others on Saturday. The bus attack occurred mere hours after the first direct peace talks between the two nations since the early stages of Russia's 2022 invasion.
The peace talks in Turkey concluded without any significant breakthroughs. Discussions included a potential meeting between the two presidents, a ceasefire, and a prisoner exchange.
Despite Russia's initial call for a face-to-face meeting, President Vladimir Putin did not attend, sending a junior delegation instead after rejecting Ukraine's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
During the negotiations, Russia demanded that Ukraine cede land still under Kyiv's control, a condition Ukraine has consistently rejected. Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland have collectively denounced Russia's stance as "unacceptable."
In a recent interview, Putin stated his desire to "eliminate" the causes of the conflict.
Amidst these developments, former US President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak with Putin on Monday to discuss ending the Ukraine war, stating his belief that a significant breakthrough is unlikely until direct communication occurs.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that preparations are underway for a phone conversation between the two leaders.