There is no ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Following the historic attack this Sunday in which Ukraine hit several Russian airfields located over 4,000 kilometers from the front line, drones and missiles have continued to fall overnight on the territory of both sides. Russian airstrikes and attacks killed five people on the outskirts of the city of Zaporiyia in southeastern Ukraine, while a drone attack in the northeastern region of Sumy injured at least six people, including children.
Meanwhile, Russian air defense units destroyed a total of 162 Ukrainian drones overnight, shooting down 57 of the aerial weapons over the Kursk region, bordering Ukraine. These attacks, which also occurred in the Voronezh region, have caused fires in residences and disrupted traffic on a major highway.
This increase in hostilities comes as, behind the scenes, Russia and Ukraine prepare for a round of peace talks, seeking a way to end the war that Russia started with a large-scale invasion of its smaller neighbor over three years ago.
Lavrov and Rubio Speak on the Phone Hours Before Second Round of Talks in Istanbul
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on the phone last night to address the situation in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
According to the statement, both diplomats discussed "the situation related to the crisis in Ukraine."
In addition, Rubio expressed his sincere condolences for "the civilian casualties caused by the explosion of railway infrastructure in the (Russian) regions of Bryansk and Kursk on June 1."
Meanwhile, Lavrov "emphasized that the competent authorities are conducting a thorough investigation and that the results will be published soon."
Ukraine Delegation Arrives in Istanbul for New Round of Talks with Russian Envoys
The Ukrainian delegation arrived in Istanbul on Monday morning for a second round of talks with Russian envoys, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi told AFP, Efe reports.
This new meeting, which will start at 13:00 (10:00 GMT), comes after one of the boldest and most successful Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.
Russia Launches 80 Drones and 4 Missiles Against Ukraine
Russia launched 80 drones and four missiles against Ukraine last night, according to the Ukrainian Air Force report on Monday, Efe reports.
Of the total drones, Ukrainian defenses neutralized 52 drones over various regions in eastern, southern, and northern Ukraine.
None of the missiles - three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and one Iskander-K cruise missile - could be intercepted, according to the report, and targeted the Ukrainian regions of Kharkiv (northeast), Chernihiv (north), Donetsk (east), and Kherson (south).
New Direct Talks in Istanbul Between Russians and Ukrainians
The Russian and Ukrainian delegations are scheduled to meet again on Monday in Istanbul, with the prospect of ending the war triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 still distant, Afp reports.
Moscow and Kiev had already started direct talks on May 16 in the Turkish metropolis, but the meeting yielded few results, as both countries only committed to a large-scale prisoner exchange.
North Korea Says Its Military Relationship with Russia Ensures "Peace"
North Korea defended its military cooperation with Russia on Monday, stating that it aims to "ensure peace and stability" in Europe and Asia, Afp reports.
The two countries have strengthened their military cooperation in recent years, during which Pyongyang has provided weapons and soldiers to support the Russian war against Ukraine.
About 600 North Korean soldiers have died and thousands more were injured while fighting for Russia, South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun said, citing intelligence from his country.