Ukraine and Russia Locked in Standoff as Istanbul Peace Talks Begin Amid Fresh Wave of Attacks
Russia and Ukraine return to the negotiating table in Istanbul amid fresh airstrikes, sabotage claims, and daring drone raids that push the war deeper into Russian territory.
Hopes for peace remain bleak as both nations escalate tactics, casting doubt on whether diplomacy can outpace destruction in this prolonged conflict.
As yet another round of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is set to commence on neutral ground in Turkey, hopes for meaningful progress remain dim. Delegates from both nations are expected to convene at the historic Ciragan Palace in Istanbul at approximately 13:00 local time (10:00 GMT). The latest diplomatic effort, however, comes amid intensifying hostilities on the battlefield and growing skepticism from observers on both sides.
The timing of the meeting could hardly be more volatile. Over the weekend, Ukraine endured one of the heaviest waves of drone and missile attacks in recent months. According to Ukrainian officials, the strikes targeted multiple regions, causing significant damage and civilian casualties. In Kharkiv, a city that has faced repeated assaults since the beginning of the war, at least six people were injured in the early hours of Monday. Among the wounded was a seven-year-old child, further fueling public outrage and reinforcing calls for international intervention.
Meanwhile, tensions are escalating within Russia’s borders as well. The Russian state news agency RIA reported that the Federal Security Service (FSB) had successfully foiled an attempted act of sabotage in the eastern Primorye region. Authorities claim two individuals were apprehended while attempting to damage a railway line on the orders of Ukrainian intelligence operatives. Although these claims are yet to be independently verified, they underscore the increasing reach of the conflict deep into Russian territory.
The ongoing war, initiated by President Vladimir Putin with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has now entered its third year. Despite numerous attempts at peace talks and international mediation, the conflict shows little sign of resolution. Moscow currently maintains control over roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed in 2014.
Adding a new layer to the geopolitical drama, Ukraine carried out what it describes as a major and strategically significant drone operation on Russian soil. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a bold drone strike on four high-value Russian airbases, including some situated thousands of miles from Ukrainian borders. The operation, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, was executed with remarkable precision and involved 117 drones, each piloted individually.
In a series of statements on social media late Sunday, President Zelensky congratulated the head of the SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, calling the mission an “absolutely brilliant result.” He also revealed that the command center for the operation was located “right next to the FSB” in an undisclosed Russian region, a detail that has attracted significant attention and speculation.
The SBU elaborated further on the sophisticated nature of the operation. According to their sources, drones were initially smuggled into Russia, followed later by wooden mobile cabins mounted on trucks. These specially designed cabins featured remotely operated roofs. When the time was right, the roofs were opened via remote control, allowing the drones to launch undetected toward their targets.
Among the airbases struck were Belaya in Irkutsk, Olenya in Murmansk, Dyagilevo in Ryazan, and Ivanovo in central Russia. These bases reportedly housed strategic bombers, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 models, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, as well as A-50 early-warning aircraft. Ukrainian officials estimate that the attack inflicted approximately $7 billion worth of damage on Russia’s strategic aviation assets.
Although the Ukrainian claims have not yet been independently confirmed, local Russian officials have acknowledged drone activity. Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev confirmed that drones launched from a truck targeted the Belaya military base. He added that the launch site had been neutralized and posed no further threat. Russian media also reported similar tactics used in other locations, including footage showing drones flying out of a Kamaz truck near a petrol station.
Despite the high-stakes developments and the symbolic setting in Istanbul, the peace talks are widely expected to yield limited results. With both countries deeply entrenched in their respective positions, and the battlefield growing more volatile by the day, the road to peace remains long, uncertain, and fraught with obstacles.
