KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia struck Ukraine with a thunderous aerial bombardment overnight, further dampening hopes that the warring sides could reach a peace deal anytime soon days after Kyiv embarrassed the Kremlin with a surprising drone attack on military airfields deep inside Russia.

MOSCOW - Russia confirmed on Friday that its forces launched a large-scale missile and drone strike on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions overnight. The move, according to Moscow, was in direct response to what it described as recent "terrorist acts" carried out by Ukraine.

Almost two centuries ago, the Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz cautioned against the temptation to “shut one’s eyes to what war really is from sheer distress at its brutality.”

Vladimir Putin has been accused of having a “blatant disregard” for his own troops amid estimates that Russia is approaching a million casualties in the Ukraine war. The Ukrainian General Staff has suggested that Russia has suffered approximately 980,

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed Trump’s comments, stating they did not signal a U.S. unwillingness to continue mediating. Read also: Putin plays victim in Trump call after Ukraine’s Cobweb op Peskov claimed that for Russia,

Ukraine’s security service released footage Wednesday of its attack on Russian war planes at multiple airbases across the country. In the span of a few hours on Sunday, nearly a third of Moscow’s strategic bomber fleet was destroyed or damaged with cheaply made drones sneaked into Russian territory, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukraine hacks Russia's Tupolev bomber producer, source claims ・Putin's 'disregard' for troops highlighted as Russian losses approach 1 million, study finds ・Ukraine expects to exchange 500 POWs in next swap with Russia,

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Pope Leo for offering to help settle the Ukraine conflict and told him Kyiv is intent on "escalating" the war, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. A Kremlin statement said they spoke by phone but did not give a date.