Putin launches airstrikes killing five people just hours before peace talks in Istanbul - Kyiv and Moscow are still far apart on how to end the war and the fighting is stepping up

Russian and Ukrainian officials are due to sit down on Monday in Istanbul for their second round of direct peace talks since 2022 with no sign they are any closer to an agreement, one day after Kyiv struck some of Moscow's nuclear-capable bombers.

Ukraine’s strikes on distant Russian airbases with drones smuggled into the country is believed to have destroyed several of Moscow’s long-range bombers.

By making harsh, uncompromising demands in peace talks with Ukraine while continuing to pummel it with waves of missiles and drones, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a clear message: He will only accept a settlement on his terms and will keep fighting until they’re met.

Five people have been killed and six others injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight, ahead of peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Istanbul later today.Russian shelling and air attacks killed five people outside the south-east Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia,

“Trump often praised or defended Putin, while Putin remained measured or even condescending. There was admiration but it was one-sided,” Ross said. “Given that this was more of a fantasy bond than an actual bond, a friendship reconciliation is unlikely to happen.” This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

Hundreds of towns are under evacuation orders in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region where Russian forces are focusing their attacks, as Kyiv officials warn it could be preparing a new offensive.Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for 11 settlements on Saturday,