Moscow, 2 June : On the eve of renewed peace negotiations, Russia and Ukraine escalated hostilities with one of the largest drone confrontations in their ongoing conflict, a blown-up Russian bridge over a passenger train, and a bold strike on nuclear-capable bombers deep inside Siberia.

After uncertainty over Ukraine’s participation, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Defence Minister Rustem Umerov would represent Kyiv in the second round of direct peace talks with Russia, set to take place in Istanbul on Monday.
The first round, held over a week ago, resulted in the largest prisoner exchange since the conflict began, but no breakthrough on halting the war.

Drone Warfare and Bridge Blast Amid Peace Talks-

Despite discussions of peace, the fighting has intensified. In Russia’s Bryansk region, bordering Ukraine, a highway bridge was destroyed over a passenger train en route to Moscow with 388 people onboard. The blast killed at least seven and injured 69. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, Ukraine launched a long-range attack on Russian nuclear-capable bombers stationed at a military base over 4,300 kilometers from the front lines, deep within Siberia — the furthest strike carried out so far.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed it conducted the strike, dubbed “Operation Spider’s Web,” which had been in planning for over 18 months. Explosive-laden drones were hidden inside wooden sheds and transported by trucks to the airbase perimeter.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, 41 Russian aircraft were hit, causing $7 billion in damages and eliminating 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers stationed at its main bases. Zelenskiy hailed the mission’s success, stating, “This is our longest-range operation,” and confirmed 117 drones were used.

Russia Confirms Damage, Denies Casualties-

Russia’s Defence Ministry acknowledged Ukraine’s drone strikes across five regions on Sunday, admitting fires broke out at airfields in Murmansk and Irkutsk due to FPV drone launches near the bases. The ministry claimed the fires were extinguished without casualties and said suspects involved had been apprehended.

Ukraine’s air force reported Russia launched 472 drones overnight — the highest number in a single night during the war — along with seven missiles.
Drone attacks persisted into Sunday evening, with 53 intercepted in less than two hours, including 34 over the border Kursk region. Falling debris caused residential fires.

Ground Gains and Political Pressure-

Russia claimed to have advanced further into Ukraine’s Sumy region. Pro-Ukrainian mapping sources indicated Russia gained 450 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in May — marking its most rapid territorial advance in at least six months.

Amid growing international pressure, U.S. President Donald Trump called on both sides to reach a peace deal, warning he may withdraw U.S. support if they fail — potentially shifting the burden to European nations with fewer resources and smaller weapons stockpiles.

Proposed Terms and Sticking Points-

According to Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg, both parties will present their respective peace proposals during the Istanbul talks. Despite the discussions, major differences remain.

Russia’s lead negotiator, presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, told TASS news agency that Moscow had received a Ukrainian memorandum. Zelenskiy, however, criticized Russia for not submitting its own proposal.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the upcoming peace talks and prospects for a resolution.

Putin initiated the full-scale invasion in February 2022, following eight years of conflict in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces. U.S. estimates suggest over 1.2 million people have been killed or injured since then.

Last June, Putin laid out preliminary demands for a ceasefire: Ukraine must abandon its NATO aspirations and withdraw from four regions claimed and largely occupied by Russia.

A draft of Ukraine’s peace proposal, seen by Reuters, outlines that there would be no restrictions on Ukraine’s military capabilities post-agreement, no recognition of Russian sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian land, and that reparations must be paid. The document also proposes using the current front lines as a basis for territorial negotiations.