Russia’s defense ministry has confirmed that five air bases were attacked by Ukrainian drones, causing significant damage to an unspecified number of aircraft. Ukraine claims to have destroyed about 40 Russian planes, including strategic bombers, in a pre-planned operation by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) over 11 months.
International observers speculate that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s actions are aimed at pressuring Moscow ahead of scheduled peace talks in Istanbul on June 2. The Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medynsky, has already arrived in Turkey for Monday’s talks. However, experts doubt the possibility of an immediate ceasefire.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether President Putin will take a catastrophic nuclear route. In comments made on May 4, Putin stated that there was no need to use nuclear weapons and expressed hope they would not be required. He also said Russia has the strength and means to bring the conflict to a logical conclusion.
This comes after Putin signed a revamped version of Russia’s nuclear doctrine in November 2024, allowing him to deploy its largest atomic arsenal under specific circumstances. The United States has criticized Russia for violating various treaties, including the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and INF Treaty.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/russia-ukraine-war-will-vladimir-putin-order-nuclear-attack-against-volodymyr-zelenskyy-headed-nation-after-sundays-drone-strikes/articleshow/121555376.cms?from=mdr