Russia, Ukraine Trade Deadly Drone Strikes Amid Ceasefire Talks

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate with intensified drone and missile attacks from both sides, causing civilian casualties and significant damage to infrastructure, including energy facilities and cultural landmarks like Odesa's Pryvoz market. Ukrainian forces have demonstrated increasingly precise strikes deep into Russian-occupied areas, while Russia has responded with widespread drone campaigns, though Ukrainian officials caution that claims of Russia deploying up to a thousand strike drones per night are exaggerated propaganda. Recent fighting coincided with a third round of ceasefire talks in Istanbul, which yielded limited progress beyond agreements for prisoner exchanges and the return of bodies, with Moscow remaining reluctant to engage in a direct summit proposed by Kyiv. The hostilities have strained Ukraine's domestic front as well, with President Zelenskyy facing protests over anti-corruption legislation, prompting promises to protect judicial independence. Both sides continue to accuse each other of obstructing diplomacy, and Russia has conducted major military exercises across various maritime zones, signaling its firm stance against NATO. Overall, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the war shows no signs of abating, with significant humanitarian and strategic consequences unfolding on multiple fronts.