On the night of May 13, Russia launched an unusually restrained attack on Ukraine, using only 10 Shahed attack drones and several unmanned imitators. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, all drones were successfully destroyed by Ukrainian air defenses. The data is from the morning report, cited by the BBC, reports News.bg.
This represents a significant decrease in intensity compared to the previous days, when Russia launched over 100 drones almost every night. A similar decreasing activity was also recorded between May 8 and 10 - a period in which Moscow declared a temporary ceasefire, although the fighting actually continued, according to mutual accusations between Kiev and the Kremlin.
In parallel with the military activity, there is also increased diplomatic preparation for a possible meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting could take place on May 15 in Istanbul as part of a new round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine.
White House sources indicate that former US President Donald Trump is considering the possibility of joining the meeting if it is confirmed. At the same time, he will be on a tour of the Middle East. His administration is already playing an active role in de-escalation efforts and is putting pressure on both sides to achieve a ceasefire.
For their part, European leaders are insisting that Russia accept the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the EU, also supported by Ukraine. Germany announced that it is starting coordination on a new package of sanctions targeting the Russian banking sector, energy and the so-called “shadow fleet”. Although the deadline - midnight on Monday - is expired, the EU seems willing to wait for the results of the possible Istanbul meeting until May 15. Final approval of the sanctions is expected on May 20 by the EU Council.
If it takes place, the meeting between Putin and Zelensky will be the first since December 2019. Tensions are high around it, as Russia insists on talks without preconditions, while Kiev and its EU allies insist on a temporary ceasefire as a necessary prerequisite for dialogue.