June 2, 2025 — Ukraine and Russia are set to hold a second round of direct peace talks in Turkey, marking the first such engagement since 2022. Despite the symbolic breakthrough, both sides remain significantly divided over the terms for ending the war, which continues to intensify on multiple fronts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after days of ambiguity over Kyiv’s participation, confirmed that Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will represent Ukraine in the discussions. The inaugural round of talks held just over a week ago resulted in the largest prisoner exchange of the conflict but yielded no concrete progress toward a ceasefire.
At the upcoming meeting, both delegations are expected to present written proposals outlining their respective peace terms. However, according to U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg, the diplomatic distance between Moscow and Kyiv remains substantial even after three years of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Russia’s chief negotiator, Presidential Adviser Vladimir Medinsky, told state-run TASS news agency that the Kremlin has received a memorandum from Ukraine outlining its peace framework. Kyiv had previously criticized Russia for not submitting a formal response.
Long-Range Drone Strike Hits Russian Strategic Assets
In a major battlefield development, Ukrainian forces launched what is being described as the most far-reaching drone attack of the war. Ukrainian intelligence sources reported that 41 Russian military aircraft, including long-range bombers, were damaged or destroyed across four airbases deep inside Russian territory — including sites as far east as Siberia.
The operation, codenamed “Spiderweb,” reportedly involved drones concealed in transport vehicles and had been under preparation for over 18 months. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy praised the strike as a “brilliant operation” targeting exclusively military assets. A source within Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) estimated the value of the damaged aircraft at over $7 billion.
Unverified footage shared online appeared to show heavy bombers engulfed in flames and plumes of black smoke. Russia has confirmed that several individuals allegedly connected to the operation have been detained.
Suspected Sabotage Hits Russian Rail Infrastructure
Russian authorities are investigating what they describe as acts of terrorism after explosions destroyed two key railway bridges in the border regions of Kursk and Bryansk, causing derailments and multiple casualties.
In Bryansk, a road bridge collapsed onto a passenger rail line late Saturday, derailing a train en route to Moscow, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens. A separate bridge collapse in Kursk derailed a freight train and injured the locomotive operator. Additional track damage was reported on the Unecha-Zhecha section in Bryansk, though no casualties were confirmed.
Ukrainian Commander Resigns Following Deadly Russian Strike
In a significant internal military development, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s land forces, has tendered his resignation after a Russian missile strike on the 239th military training ground killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers.
“This is a conscious decision, driven by my personal sense of responsibility for the tragedy,” Drapatyi wrote in a statement shared on social media. He had led the ground forces since November 2024.
President Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, acknowledged the incident and announced plans to convene senior military leadership, including Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, to assess the circumstances of the strike. “We must preserve the lives of our defenders. Every soldier is crucial to Ukraine’s fight,” he said.
The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that its forces targeted a “tent camp” used by Ukrainian troops in central Dnipropetrovsk.
As peace efforts proceed in Turkey, the military and diplomatic dimensions of the conflict remain in stark contrast, with continued escalation on the ground underscoring the profound challenges ahead.
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