Tensions between Ukraine and Russia remain high ahead of scheduled peace talks in Istanbul, as both nations reported new military strikes over the weekend. Ukraine claimed responsibility for a major drone assault that reportedly destroyed over 40 Russian military aircraft at several airfields, including Belaya air base located in Russia’s Irkutsk region.
Ukrainian officials say the attack was a long-planned mission involving drones that were covertly transported into Russian territory via truck containers. The Associated Press cited a Ukrainian security official who said the operation had been in development for over a year and was personally overseen by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This will be in textbooks.
Ukraine secretly delivered FPV drones and wooden mobile cabins into Russia. The drones were hidden under the roofs of the cabins, which were later mounted on trucks.At the signal, the roofs opened remotely. Dozens of drones launched directly from the… pic.twitter.com/sJyG3WyYYI
— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) June 1, 2025
In response, Russia launched its own series of attacks, reportedly deploying 472 drones and several missiles. According to Ukraine’s air force, those strikes killed at least 12 Ukrainian service members and injured more than 60 others. These exchanges of fire come just before Monday’s anticipated peace talks, raising concerns about the likelihood of a meaningful breakthrough.
President Zelensky outlined Ukraine’s goals for the negotiations in a public message shared on X (formerly Twitter). He called for a full and unconditional ceasefire, the release of prisoners, and the return of children who had been taken from Ukraine. Zelensky emphasized the need for top-level diplomacy, stating that key issues “can only be resolved by the leaders.” Ukraine’s delegation to the Istanbul talks will be led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Footage of a Ukrainian FPV strike drone rising from a cargo truck and heading towards Russia’s Belaya Airbase.
The drone launch and airbase hit were over 4000 km (2500 mi) from Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/XU7bCzV5QJ
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 1, 2025
Russia, for its part, responded with sharp criticism. The Russian state news agency TASS quoted envoy Rodion Miroshnik, who accused Ukraine of attempting to “destabilize the situation” in advance of the peace negotiations. Russian officials have not publicly confirmed the scale or impact of the reported drone attacks on their airfields.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the ongoing conflict via a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump criticized both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky, suggesting that the war has spiraled out of control due to poor leadership on both sides.
Newly released footage of Belaya Air Base in the Irkutsk Oblast of Russia’s Far East, shows several fires burning and thick smoke filling the air, immediately following yesterday’s large-scale drone attack by Ukraine, which resulted in damage to at least 4 Tu-95MS Long-Range… pic.twitter.com/fBqzDHTLL5
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 2, 2025
“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” Trump wrote. “Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.”
Trump also expressed frustration with Zelensky, writing, “Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.” He blamed the conflict on Zelensky, Putin, and former President Joe Biden, stating that the war “would never have started” if he were still in office.
As the conflict enters another critical phase, the Istanbul peace talks are being closely watched by the international community. With both countries continuing military operations, many observers are uncertain about how much progress can be made. The outcome of the negotiations may depend not only on what is discussed at the table, but on what happens on the ground in the days to come.
