Truce or Terror? Analyst Claims Ukraine’s Attacks Aim to Derail Peace Talks
Escalating drone strikes and sabotage draw accusations of provocation as Istanbul negotiations falter
Russia, PUREWILAYAH.COM - As Moscow and Kiev concluded a new round of peace negotiations in Istanbul this week, a wave of Ukrainian attacks inside Russian territory has sparked renewed accusations that Kiev is deliberately undermining the fragile diplomatic process.
Russian media and commentators described the near-simultaneous sabotage and drone strikes as part of a broader effort to provoke escalation and forestall any meaningful truce.
Bridges Sabotaged, Civilians Killed
Two major incidents occurred Sunday in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions, both bordering Ukraine. Railway bridges collapsed on or beneath trains, killing at least seven civilians and injuring dozens more.
Russian authorities have classified the events as acts of sabotage. While Western coverage of the incidents has been minimal, Moscow considers them terrorism, and attributes the operations to Ukrainian-backed actors.
Drone Strikes Hit Russian Airbases Across Five Regions
That same day, Ukraine also launched a large-scale drone attack on military airfields in five Russian regions, including sites in Siberia and the Far East.
Reports indicate that the drones were launched from within Russian territory using disguised civilian vehicles — a tactic that, under the Law of Armed Conflict, some experts say may constitute perfidy, or the unlawful use of civilian cover for military attacks.
Ukrainian officials claimed destruction of over 40 Russian aircraft and at least $2 billion in damages. Russian sources acknowledged losses but offered no specifics, while military bloggers within Russia reported significantly lower figures, describing even limited losses of strategic bombers and reconnaissance aircraft as serious.
Motives and Fallout: Escalation or Desperation?
While the military impact of the attacks is still being assessed, Russian commentators have portrayed them as attempts by Ukraine to achieve several objectives: boosting domestic morale, baiting Russia into an escalatory response, sabotaging the Istanbul talks, and possibly signaling a longer-term campaign of asymmetric warfare deep inside Russian territory — even if the conventional war ends.
The tone of the commentary suggests that such attacks are unlikely to force a change in Russian policy, but rather reinforce Moscow’s commitment to achieving its stated objectives through military means.
Talks Proceed with Limited Humanitarian Outcomes
Despite the provocations, the second round of peace talks in Istanbul went ahead. Russia submitted a formal settlement proposal, reiterating demands for recognition of its territorial claims, Ukrainian neutrality, and restrictions on Ukraine’s armed forces. Ukraine reportedly rejected those terms but agreed to further discussions.
Limited humanitarian outcomes were achieved. Russia proposed local ceasefires to recover fallen soldiers and committed to returning 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen.
A new “all-for-all” prisoner exchange was also agreed upon, with a focus on the seriously wounded. Ukraine additionally submitted a list of 339 children evacuated by Russia from conflict zones, and Russian officials pledged to investigate and facilitate repatriation where possible.
Though diplomacy continues at a slow and limited pace, the intensifying attacks have cast a shadow over the peace process. Russian officials and media continue to frame Ukraine’s actions as provocations meant to derail negotiations — suggesting that, for now, a truce remains out of reach. (PW)
Source: RT