Ukraine To Hold Peace Talks With Russia Despite Attacks

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at a news conference in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for direct peace talks with Russia on Monday, even as Russian attacks intensify. The escalation includes a missile strike that killed 12 Ukrainian soldiers and the largest drone offensive since the conflict began nearly three years ago.

Zelenskyy revealed the plans via Telegram, naming Defense Minister Rustem Umerov as head of the Ukrainian delegation. “We are doing everything to defend our independence, our country, and our people,” he said.

Prior to the talks, Ukraine requested a written outline of Russia’s position on ending the war. Moscow responded it will present its memorandum during the negotiations.

Deadly missile strike hits Ukrainian training site

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 472 drones on Sunday — the highest number in a single day since the full-scale invasion started — alongside seven missiles.

Earlier that day, a missile struck a Ukrainian army training facility, killing at least 12 soldiers and injuring over 60. The attack occurred around 12:50 p.m. local time. Ukrainian officials stressed that no large troop gatherings were present during the strike and have launched an investigation into how such heavy casualties occurred.

Located far from the front lines, the training site remains vulnerable to Russian drones and missile attacks. With Ukrainian forces stretched thin, military units are taking extra precautions to avoid troop concentrations that could become targets. The army warned that any negligence leading to casualties would be dealt with harshly.

Ukrainian drones target deep inside Russia

Ukrainian drones struck multiple sites inside Russia, including the Siberian region of Irkutsk — over 4,500 km east of Moscow. Local authorities confirmed the drone presence but said civilians were not at risk. Additional drone activity was reported in the Ryazan and Murmansk regions, with no casualties reported.

Fighting escalates in northern Ukraine

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed on Sunday it seized the village of Oleksiivka in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region. In response, Ukrainian authorities ordered mandatory evacuations in 11 nearby settlements amid ongoing Russian advances.

Ukraine’s top military commander said Russian forces are focusing their main offensives on the eastern Donetsk cities of Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Lyman, as well as along the Sumy border.