As Ukraine and Russia prepare for a fresh round of peace talks, the battlefield continues to erupt with unprecedented violence, underscoring the deep divide between the two nations. On Sunday, a major escalation unfolded with a devastating explosion on a highway bridge in Russia’s Bryansk region, which killed at least seven and injured 69 others. The bridge collapsed over a passenger train carrying 388 people en route to Moscow. Though no group has claimed responsibility, the attack signals an alarming turn just hours before diplomatic talks are set to resume.
Alongside the bridge incident, Ukraine launched one of its boldest long-distance strikes yet, targeting a military airbase deep in Siberia—over 4,300 kilometers from the frontlines. The base, known to house nuclear-capable long-range bombers, reportedly sustained heavy damage, with Ukrainian intelligence claiming 40 Russian aircraft were hit. These actions coincide with the largest Russian drone assault of the war to date, with 472 drones and multiple missiles launched overnight toward Ukrainian territory, according to Ukraine's air force.
Despite the bloodshed, diplomatic efforts are moving forward. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will represent Kyiv at the second round of direct peace talks with Russian officials, set to be held in Istanbul on Monday. Initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the negotiations have thus far yielded only a significant prisoner exchange but little progress on a comprehensive peace plan.
Meanwhile, Russia claims territorial gains in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, with pro-Ukrainian sources acknowledging the loss of about 450 square kilometers in May—Moscow’s most rapid advance in half a year. As the front lines shift, both sides prepare to present contrasting peace proposals in Turkey. U.S. President Donald Trump, while vocal in demanding a resolution, has issued stark warnings: if peace isn’t reached, he may reduce American support, shifting the burden to European allies who lack comparable military resources or financial capacity.
Details of the proposed Ukrainian peace roadmap, obtained by Reuters, suggest a hardline stance from Kyiv. The document outlines non-negotiable points: Ukraine will not accept any restrictions on its military capabilities post-settlement, rejects international recognition of Russian sovereignty over occupied territories, and demands reparations. It also states that the current military front line will serve as the baseline for territorial negotiations.
Putin, for his part, has previously laid out firm conditions for ending hostilities, demanding Ukraine renounce NATO aspirations and pull out from four partially occupied regions Russia claims as its own. The gap between both nations’ positions remains vast. As it stands, Russia holds nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory—around 113,000 square kilometers, comparable to the size of Ohio. With peace talks looming and violence intensifying, the world watches closely to see whether diplomacy can find any foothold in this fractured landscape.