In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, five civilians, including two children, were killed overnight in Russian missile and drone attacks — just hours before Ukrainian and Russian delegations are set to meet for a critical new round of peace talks in Istanbul.
This latest Russian assault comes amid mounting tensions following Ukraine’s daring drone strikes on multiple Russian airbases, which Kyiv claims destroyed at least 13 planes. Ukrainian officials say the operation marks one of the boldest military offensives since the war began in 2022.
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Five Killed in Russian Strikes Ahead of Talks
According to Ukrainian emergency services, Russian shelling and airstrikes hit several civilian areas late Sunday night, killing five people and injuring multiple others, including two children who are now in critical condition. The strikes reportedly targeted residential zones in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Dnipro, escalating fears of further civilian casualties.
These attacks occurred just hours before high-level peace talks between the two nations were scheduled to begin in Istanbul at 11 a.m. UK time, marking the second face-to-face meeting in recent months.
“This was a deliberate attack to undermine peace efforts,” a Ukrainian military spokesperson said early Monday. “Russia cannot be trusted at the negotiation table when it continues to kill civilians.”
Ukraine's Bold Drone Attack: A Game-Changer?
On the military front, Ukraine is celebrating a major tactical victory. According to Andriy Kovalenko, an official from Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, the country launched a well-coordinated drone operation, destroying at least 13 Russian warplanes and damaging several others deep inside Russian territory.
Sources say the drones were smuggled into Russia in mobile sheds and launched from trucks, catching Moscow’s air defenses completely off guard. Some military analysts are calling this operation "Russia’s Pearl Harbor", a reference to the 1941 Japanese attack on the United States that shifted the course of World War II.
"This was more than a tactical victory — it's a psychological and strategic blow to Putin," noted Deborah Haynes, a defense analyst. "It will force the Kremlin to retaliate."
Rising Calls in Russia for Nuclear Retaliation
The drone attack has sparked calls within Russia’s state-run media for a nuclear response. Russian military bloggers and hardliners are demanding a "Pearl Harbor-style" reaction, arguing that Ukraine’s strike on nuclear-capable bombers justifies a nuclear counterattack under Moscow’s official doctrine.
“We hope that the response will be the same as the US response to the attack on their Pearl Harbor or even harsher,” wrote one pro-Kremlin blogger.
While nuclear retaliation remains unlikely due to international pressure, the escalating rhetoric highlights the fragile and dangerous state of affairs in Eastern Europe.
Peace Talks Under Tension in Istanbul
Delegations from both Ukraine and Russia arrived in Istanbul early Monday to begin what is being called a "last-chance effort" to reach a diplomatic resolution to the war. Leading Ukraine's team is Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while Russia’s side includes senior advisors from the Kremlin.
Despite the tense atmosphere, international mediators — including officials from Turkey and the United Nations — are hopeful that both parties will at least agree to a temporary ceasefire.
“The stakes are incredibly high,” said a UN peace negotiator. “Every civilian life lost is a setback to peace.”
UK Prepares for Russian Threat with Submarine Build-up
In a related development, the UK government announced a major military policy shift, vowing to build up to 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines amid rising tensions with Russia. Though no additional defense spending was immediately promised, the move signals growing concern over Russia’s broader threat to Europe.
According to UK Defense Secretary John Healey, this is part of a strategic effort to reach 3% of national income on defense by 2034.
Analysis: What Comes Next?
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Ukraine’s drone strikes have shifted the momentum and raised doubts about Russia's military invulnerability.
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Civilian casualties from Russian airstrikes may derail peace efforts, or at the very least, complicate them.
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The threat of nuclear escalation, while likely rhetorical, adds a deeply dangerous layer to the conflict.
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Ongoing peace talks in Istanbul could be the beginning of a fragile but vital diplomatic path.
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Sources:
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Sky News
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Ukrainian National Security Council
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UK Ministry of Defence
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Reuters
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United Nations Peacekeeping Mission
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AGENCYX Research Desk
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