Russia launches massive drone attacks as Ukraine awaits ceasefire talks in Turkey

Russia hits Ukraine with over 100 drones while Kyiv anticipates potential peace talks between Zelensky and Putin in Istanbul.

Police officers assess and document damage to a municipal vehicle struck by a Russian FPV drone in Kupiansk, Ukraine, on May 8, 2025. Photo by Viktoriia Yakymenko/Getty Images

By Clarisa Sendy and Anna Fadiah

Russia unleashed a barrage of over 100 drones on Ukrainian territory overnight, Kyiv reported Monday, intensifying its military campaign even as President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled readiness to engage in direct peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week in Turkey. The latest Russia drone attacks on Ukraine come at a critical moment, with international attention focused on the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough to end the devastating war that began in February 2022.

According to the Ukrainian air force, 108 drones, primarily Iranian-made Shaheds, were launched in a coordinated overnight assault beginning at 11:00 p.m. on May 11. By 8:30 a.m. the next morning, Ukrainian defenses had shot down 55 of them, though several regions reported damage to infrastructure and civilian homes. Authorities confirmed one fatality and six injuries in the country’s eastern regions.

“Ceasefire proposals are being ignored, and the enemy continues attacks on railway infrastructure,” Ukraine’s national railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia stated, emphasizing the continued risk to logistical and civilian networks.

Kyiv insists on ceasefire as precondition for Istanbul talks

The intensification of Russian drone assaults has added urgency to Kyiv’s call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, to begin Monday. This proposed halt in hostilities was presented as a prerequisite for the direct peace talks Zelensky has pushed to hold with Putin on Thursday in Istanbul. The Kremlin has offered to participate in the summit but has not formally responded to Zelensky’s public acceptance.

Speaking on Sunday, Zelensky raised the stakes by stating he would be "waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday. Personally." The bold declaration has sparked cautious optimism among global leaders, though the continued attacks on Ukrainian soil suggest Moscow is not yet prepared to pause military operations unconditionally.

International community reacts to new peace prospects

The potential for the first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks since 2022 has garnered attention across Europe and the United States. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has often played a vocal role in foreign policy commentary, took to his Truth Social platform urging both sides to meet immediately.

“President Putin of Russia doesn't want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH,” Trump wrote. “Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY.”

European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, welcomed the idea of renewed dialogue but emphasized that Moscow must halt its offensives first. “First the weapons must be silenced, then the discussions can begin,” Merz asserted.

Putin demands talks on 'root causes' of conflict

The Kremlin, for its part, appears to be setting the stage for a more comprehensive negotiation. President Putin has insisted that any discussions with Kyiv should address the "root causes" of the conflict — a phrase that has repeatedly been used to justify Russia’s military aggression. These so-called root causes include claims to protect Russian-speaking populations, a push to demilitarize and “de-Nazify” Ukraine, and opposition to NATO’s eastward expansion.

Ukraine and its Western allies have categorically rejected these claims, calling them unfounded pretexts for an illegal and brutal invasion aimed at territorial conquest. Ukrainian officials have maintained that Russia’s true objective is the reassertion of influence over its former Soviet neighbor through force and occupation.

Long road to diplomacy after two years of war

The potential Istanbul summit would mark the first high-level Russia-Ukraine meeting since negotiations in March 2022, also held in Turkey, which ended without a breakthrough. Since then, communications between the two governments have been sparse and largely limited to humanitarian issues, such as prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of fallen soldiers.

Over two years into the war, Russia now controls approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula, which it annexed in 2014, and large swaths of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and inflicted severe economic damage on both nations.

Despite this, calls for peace continue to grow louder. China, a key ally of Russia, issued a statement Monday urging both parties to pursue a “binding peace agreement” that is “acceptable to all parties.” While Beijing did not criticize Moscow directly, its use of the word “binding” signals concern over the lack of commitment shown in previous attempts at de-escalation.

Front lines remain active as peace efforts unfold

Even as talk of diplomacy gains momentum, the war on the ground shows no signs of letting up. Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced Monday the capture of a small village in the contested Donetsk region, further entrenching its position in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, in the southern Kherson region, now under Russian occupation, local authorities reported four deaths over the past 24 hours amid continued shelling.

Ukrainian officials described the ongoing Russian military activity as a clear indication that Moscow is using force to gain leverage before any substantive discussions can begin. “We want peace, but we cannot ignore the bombs,” one official told state media.

Zelensky’s high-stakes gamble

Zelensky’s decision to accept direct talks with Putin represents a dramatic shift in diplomatic posture, especially considering his long-standing demand that Russia withdraw troops from Ukrainian territory before any negotiations. By offering to meet Putin personally in Istanbul, Zelensky is signaling both confidence and a willingness to test Moscow’s seriousness.

For many Ukrainians, the idea of negotiating with the Kremlin — especially in the absence of a ceasefire — is fraught with concern. However, others see it as a necessary step toward ending the bloodshed and restoring Ukrainian sovereignty.

Whether Putin will meet Zelensky in Turkey remains uncertain, but the world will be watching closely. As Ukraine reels from another wave of Russia drone attacks, the path to peace appears more complex and fragile than ever.