The Russia-Ukraine war has once again led to tensions. Just before peace talks were to begin in Istanbul on june 2, ukraine carried out massive drone attacks in some areas of Russian territory on Sunday. These attacks have increased global concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin may use nuclear weapons. These latest developments are further increasing the intensity of the war and fears about the possibility of a nuclear war.
According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, Ukrainian drones targeted five Russian airbases. ukraine claimed to have destroyed about 40 Russian aircraft, including nuclear-capable strategic bombers such as the TU-95 and Tu-22. Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, reported that the attacks had been planned for 11 months. Initial reports indicate that aircraft were damaged at the airbases of Olenegorsk (in the Murmansk region) and Belaya (in the Irkutsk region). In total, 117 drones were used in the attacks, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself.
Observers believe the attacks are an attempt by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to increase pressure on moscow ahead of a second round of peace talks. A Russian delegation, led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medynsky, has already arrived in turkey for talks. However, experts are not holding out hope for an immediate ceasefire. In the talks held on Monday, the two sides reached only a preliminary agreement on a prisoner exchange. It seems that a consensus on a full ceasefire has not been reached.
According to the Economic Times, in a state tv interview on May 4, Putin said that russia has not had the need to use nuclear weapons in ukraine and that he hopes that it will continue to do so. In november 2024, Putin updated Russia's nuclear policy. It allows the use of nuclear weapons even in the event of a conventional attack with the support of a nuclear-armed state.
For more interesting updates wa click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel

Find out more:

Sowmiya Sriram

03/06/2025 01:38 PM