Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the war began, just days after officials from both countries met for direct talks for the first time in three years.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia sent 273 drones toward multiple regions, including the capital Kyiv, killing one woman and injuring three others. They managed to shoot down 88 drones and 128 missed their targets.
This attack came a day before US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday. Trump called for both Ukraine and Russia to agree to a ceasefire.
Ukraine and Russia officials had met in Turkey on Friday, but the talks didn’t achieve much beyond agreeing to exchange prisoners.
Russia’s previous largest drone attack was on February 23, the three-year anniversary of the war, when they launched 267 drones.
Andriy Yermak, a senior adviser to Ukraine’s president, said the recent attack showed Russia wasn’t serious about ending the war, despite international pressure to do so. “For Russia, the Istanbul talks were just a show,” he said. “Putin wants war.”
The BBC reported on the recent developments.