Ukraine launches huge drone attack on Russia as Vladimir Putin suffers significant setback

The regional governor of Russia's Irkutsk region, Igor Kobzev, stated that drones attacked a military unit in the Sredny settlement.

It is the first such attack in Siberia, and "the source from where the drones were fired has already been blocked".

Russia fired 472 drones at Ukraine overnight, the highest nightly total since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

The Ukrainian air force said that Russia had also launched seven missiles into Ukraine.

It added that 382 drones were shot down or otherwise neutralised, as well as three of the missiles.

Russia has increased the number of drones launched into Ukraine recently, sending 1,273 drones in the past week.

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The increase in drone strikes from both parties comes despite the next round of peace talks scheduled for tomorrow.

State-run Russian media, the RIA, confirmed that Russian delegates have departed for Istanbul, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that Ukraine will attend the meeting.

Zelensky confirmed Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will head the meeting, stating Ukraine's positions for the talks matter on a complete and unconditional ceasefire, the release of prisoners and the return of abducted children.

He said: "I outlined (Ukraine's) positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul on Monday, and in order to establish a reliable and lasting peace and guarantee security, to prepare a meeting at the highest level."

In a document seen by Reuters, Ukraine wants a 30-day ceasefire, the release of all prisoners of war, negotiations involving the US and Europe and a meeting with Putin and Zelensky.

The document added that Ukraine will demand reparations and no curbs on its military.

It added that any territory taken by Russia will not be recognised internationally.

These territorial gains stem back to February 2014, meaning Crimea will not be recognised as Russian on the international stage.

The document notes that Putin and Zelensky will meet at the final stages of the agreement to confirm the peace deal.