Second round of peace talks begin after Ukraine strike Russian air bases

(CNN)- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised a surprise drone assault on Russian air bases over the weekend, calling it a “brilliant operation” targeting military assets deep inside enemy territory.

“Against equipment that was used to deliver strikes on Ukraine. Russia has had very tangible losses, and justifiably so—as they deserved it,” Zelensky said during a national address.

According to Ukrainian officials, 41 Russian aircraft were hit in the attack, including strategic bombers. It remains unclear how many were completely destroyed. The strikes targeted airfields located far from the Ukrainian border, with one reportedly nearly 2,800 miles inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian operatives allegedly smuggled the drones into Russia, hiding them in mobile wooden sheds until they were within range of the targets. Once in position, the drones were launched in a coordinated assault. Russian officials downplayed the damage, claiming some drone strikes were repelled. However, they confirmed that “several pieces of aircraft” were set on fire in various locations.

The bold operation came just one day before Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul for their second round of direct peace talks. The negotiations began late, lasted just over an hour, and concluded without any major breakthroughs. The two sides agreed to work on a new prisoner exchange, but statements from both delegations indicated minimal progress on key issues—especially on the possibility of a ceasefire.