Ukrainian Commander Resigns Following Fatal Strike as Tensions Escalate Ahead of Peace Talks
In a significant development on the battlefield, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, the commander of Ukraine's land forces, announced his resignation on Sunday, taking accountability for the tragic deaths of at least 12 soldiers caused by a Russian missile strike on a training ground. Drapatyi, who has been at the helm since November of last year, expressed his personal sense of responsibility for the incident in a heartfelt message on Facebook, marking a somber moment for the Ukrainian military amid ongoing conflict.
On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the nation via a nightly video address, stating that he would convene senior military commanders, including top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, to review the circumstances surrounding the missile attack. 'This is not the first strike of its kind when Ukraine has lost personnel,' he noted. 'We need all our fighting men at the front to defend Ukraine.' The Russian military confirmed the attack, stating that their forces targeted a Ukrainian military camp located in Dniepropetrovsk region.
In a striking contrast to the tragic events, Ukraine also claimed a significant military accomplishment by reportedly destroying Russian bombers worth approximately $7 billion during its longest-range assault of the war, with the attacks aimed at aircraft stationed thousands of kilometers away in Siberia. Unverified video footage showed planes ablaze, and officials from Ukraine's Security Services (SBU) stated that 41 aircraft used to bomb Ukrainian territories were targeted in the operation.
Dubbed 'Spiderweb,' this strategic operation was said to be in preparation for over a year and involved launching drones from concealed positions near Russian airbases. Zelenskyy lauded the attacks as a meticulously executed operation targeting strictly military assets, which led to substantial losses for Russia. It was reported that those who facilitated the drone attacks had secured safe passage out of Russia prior to the strikes, while Russian authorities confirmed the arrest of several individuals involved.
Amid escalating military actions, Russian investigators announced the collapse of two bridges in the border regions of Kursk and Bryansk due to explosions that derailed trains, resulting in a tragic death toll of at least seven people and numerous injuries. Authorities are treating these incidents as acts of terrorism, with significant collateral disruptions in transportation.
These events transpire just ahead of the second round of peace talks set to take place in Istanbul. After a series of uncertainties regarding Ukraine's participation, President Zelenskyy confirmed that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov would meet with Russian officials. The first round of discussions, although yielding a major prisoner exchange, failed to establish a consensus for halting the ongoing fighting.
In Turkey, both sides are expected to present documents detailing their respective proposals for peace, although U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg noted that after three years of intense warfare, Moscow and Kyiv remain miles apart in their negotiations. Russian lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky stated that they have received a memorandum from Ukraine, while Zelenskyy voiced concerns over a lack of reciprocal proposals from the Russian side.
As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of these military actions and the resulting humanitarian crises remain a focal point of international attention.
Related Sources: