Russian drones attack Ukraine after Kremlin turns down ceasefire proposal
The attack included also 30 simulator drones that were lost along the way without hitting anything, as drones were shot down by the Air Force
Russia launched more than 100 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine in nighttime attacks, the Ukrainian air force said Monday (May 12), after the Kremlin rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in the more than three-year war.
The attack also included 30 simulator drones that were lost along the way without hitting anything. Drones were shot down in the east, north, south, and central parts of Ukraine, the air force said.
The Russian drone attack on Ukraine's railway infrastructure in the Donetsk region even injured a locomotive driver of a civilian freight train, Ukrainian Railways said.
Also read: Zelenskyy hopes for ceasefire with Russia, challenges Putin to meet him in Turkiye 'personally'
There was no response from the Kremlin, meanwhile, to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's challenge for Russia's President Vladimir Putin to meet him for face-to-face peace talks in Turkey this week.
US, allies push for ceasefire
The US and European governments have made a concerted push to stop the fighting, which has killed tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides as well as more than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians. Russia's invading forces have taken around one-fifth of Ukraine, in direct opposition to the United Nations Charter.
Also read: US touts 'substantial progress' in tariff talks with China
In a flurry of diplomatic developments over the weekend, Russia shunned the ceasefire proposal tabled by the US and European leaders but offered direct talks with Ukraine on Thursday.
Russia rejects ceasefire proposal
Ukraine, along with European allies, had demanded that Russia accept a ceasefire starting Monday before holding peace talks. Moscow effectively rejected that proposal and instead called for direct negotiations in Istanbul.
Also read: Putin proposes direct peace talks with Ukraine, Zelenskyy seeks ceasefire first
US President Donald Trump insisted Ukraine accept the Russian offer. Zelenskyy went a step further and put the pressure on Putin by offering a personal meeting between the leaders.
'Deep hatred'
In 2022, in the war's early months, Zelenskyy repeatedly called for a personal meeting with the Russian president but was rebuffed every time, announcing that 'negotiating with Putin is impossible'.
Putin and Zelenskyy have only met once, in 2019. Trump says “deep hatred” between the sides has made it difficult to push peace efforts forward.