Unleashing Havoc After Victory Day: Russia's Massive Drone Attacks on Ukraine
Russia initiates drone offensive against Ukraine
After a three-day peace celebration, Moscow decided to turn a deaf ear and shake the peace. Alerts rocked Kyiv and other regions like Odessa, Kharkiv, and Dnipro as Russia unleashed a relentless wave of over a hundred drones towards Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force.
The attack, between midnight and Sunday morning, saw 60 out of the 108 drones intercepted by Ukraine's defense forces. The capital witnessed a series of air alerts and drone attacks for the first time since the World War II Victory Day celebrations. Regrettably, there are no initial reports of significant damages despite the alarming number of drones. Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv's Mayor, urged the citizens to head to the bunkers for safety. The three-day ceasefire, ordered by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, had ended at midnight (23:00 CET).
Politics: Medvedev's Fierymouthed Insult
Russia's reluctance to listen to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European allies became evident as they declined to embrace a 30-day ceasefire, starting on May 8. In response, Western allies threatened Russia with new sanctions if it showed disregard towards the ceasefire proposal. The Kremlin, in turn, maintained its composure, expressing no intention to be manipulated.
Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian prime minister, took his disdain a step further, shouting, "Shove peace plans up your ass!" in a rage-filled video message.
Negotiation Proposals and Diplomatic Tension
In an unexpected move, Putin proposed a face-to-face meeting with Ukraine to resolve the ongoing conflict and even suggested May 18, 2023, in Istanbul for the discussion. However, Kyiv has yet to respond.
The European leaders delivered a firm message to Putin during their visit to Kyiv, asserting that "One word from Putin and it's over." As events continue to unfold, it remains uncertain whether diplomatic routes will pave the way to peace or if both sides will continue to court danger.
Russia, on the other hand, seems to approach the conflict resolution with the hope that direct talks and a potential ceasefire will end the hostilities rather than prioritizing a ceasefire followed by discussions. The cat-and-mouse game between Russia and Ukraine, assisted by their Western allies, intensifies daily, leaving us on the edge of our seats, waiting to see which side will blink first.
- The European Union, following the escalation of war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, has expressed concern over Russia's disregard for a proposed 30-day ceasefire.
- On Monday, the European Union leaders visited Kyiv to urge Putin to end the ongoing conflict, asserting that "One word from Putin and it's over."
- In spite of the ongoing drone attacks on Ukraine, the European Union continues to advocate for negotiation proposals and diplomatic tension as a path to resolution, similar to Russia's suggested face-to-face meeting with Ukraine on May 18, 2023, in Istanbul.
- The European Union has been monitoring the political fallout from Ukraine, particularly in light of Dmitry Medvedev's fiery-mouthed insult toward Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key Western allies, saying, "Shove peace plans up your ass!"
