Sat May 31 20:07:52 UTC 2025: ## Russia Confirms Istanbul Delegation Amid Fresh Attacks; Ukraine Weighs Participation

**Kyiv, Ukraine** – As Russia confirms its participation in potential peace talks slated for Istanbul early next week, Ukraine remains hesitant, citing a lack of clarity on Moscow’s objectives and continued deadly attacks across the country.

Overnight, Russian forces launched a barrage of 109 drones and 5 missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, which reported intercepting three missiles and 42 drones. While another 30 drones reportedly failed to reach their targets, the strikes still inflicted casualties.

A child was killed in the Zaporizhia region village of Dolynka in a direct hit, with the blast also damaging surrounding homes and vehicles, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported. In the Kherson region, Russian shelling claimed the life of a man, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Moscow has not commented on these specific attacks.

The escalation comes as authorities in Ukraine’s Sumy region, bordering Russia, ordered the evacuation of 11 villages within a 30-kilometer radius, citing the constant threat of shelling and its impact on civilian safety. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims around 50,000 Russian troops are amassed in the area, potentially aiming to create a buffer zone within Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian top army chief, Oleksandr Syrskii, stated that Russian forces are focusing their offensive efforts on Pokrovsk, Torets and Lyman in the Donetsk region, as well as the Sumy border area. He also reiterated that Ukrainian forces continue to hold territory in Russia’s Kursk region, a claim consistently denied by Moscow.

While Washington has urged both sides to end the three-year conflict, Ukraine is approaching the prospect of talks with caution. Russia has confirmed its delegation will attend the meeting in Istanbul, but Kyiv is yet to commit, stating that meaningful progress is unlikely without prior disclosure of the Kremlin’s peace terms.

President Zelenskyy expressed skepticism, saying it was unclear what Moscow hoped to achieve at the meeting and that it did not “look very serious.” The ongoing violence and uncertainty surrounding Russia’s intentions are casting a long shadow over the prospect of meaningful dialogue.

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