They talk about a certificate and fallen flames of conflict: while Putin and Green does not obviously be noted, civilians will be killed

Ukrainian forces performed a number of precise, destructive and strategically painful blows to the Russian military air bases. They caused huge damage, estimated at about seven billion dollars. 41 military aircraft was destroyed, making almost a third of the Russian fleet of strategic bombers. It is a significant blow to the Russian air force that Ukrainian forces performed as part of a carefully planned Operation Pauk Network. This is the biggest attack of drones on Russian air bases since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. At the same time, two bridges were demolished on the Russian-Ukrainian border, which caused suspicion of sabotage.

The Russian retaliation soon followed. The Ukrainian Harkiv is covered with drones and ballistic missiles in a terrible night attack, killing six people, including one child. They launched over 900 drones and dozens of rockets on the territory of Ukraine. Civilians were killed, children.

Photo: Lies Johanssen

It seems to be Timing Ukrainian attacks intentionally chosen. They were made just before the start of the new round of peace negotiations, which imposes suspicion of whether they want these moves to actually strengthen their own negotiating positions or completely disable further dialogue. But this is not the first time the attacks intensify when negotiations are in sight. Last year, just when Moscow and Kiev had to start important negotiations on partial ceasefire, the Ukrainian forces launched surgery in Kurska. The attempts of negotiations then failed.

This time, Russia diminished the importance of Sunday explosions deep in its territory. The Russian Ministry of Defense reluctantly acknowledged that « several aircraft units were affected by fire » but did not give a retaliation threat. Instead of a formal protest, Russian representatives went to Istanbul for negotiations with Ukrainian colleagues. The opposing parties met and agreed on two things – an exchange of at least a thousand prisoners on both sides and a possible return of ten Ukrainian children abducted by Russian authorities. There were no progress in the negotiations. It was clear that neither Moscow nor Kyiv were ready for serious conversations. The leaders seem to have their reasons to avoid interrupting fire.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown countless times that he will not allow others to impose conditions. He rather sets them himself. As the main architect of this war, he gets what he wants: spreading political influence, territorial gains, and a prolonged conflict that strengthens his reputation at home. It seems ready to torment Ukraine as long as she, or he, survive.

Photo: Grigory Sysoev

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zeleni is not the type of man who will be easily withdrawn. Apart from courage and stubbornness, it is clear that the war brought him what peace could never – permanent popularity, a constant inflow of international aid and solid control of power. If Ukrainians see a truce with Russia as a capitulation, he would lose the presidential armchair. That threat signs over his head.

The West is ready to continue to supply Ukraine with resources for war, which gives them additional security. The Ukrainian army fiercely attacked the Crimea Bridge. The Ukrainian security service (SBU) announced that their agents mined the underwater carriers of the bridge and detonated explosives at 4:44 in the morning. They « severely damaged » explosive construction, which has an equivalent of 1100 pounds of TNT.  » As they state, the bridge is now in a « bad state ». It was built by the Russians, after an illegal annexation of the peninsula, and it seems that it serves as a symbol of Putin’s imperial ambitions and a strategic connection between Russia and occupied Crimea. The attack on him will surely cause a Russian response, and fiercely.

The war could thus enter a new, more dangerous phase, the one defined not the fronts, but with symbolic attacks and strong retribution. For many Ukrainians, fragile hopes that the fighting could stop have given a place to the dark feeling that the war will last for months, if not for years.

Politics and war are not about righteousness, justice or morality. The war feeds on human lives. As long as the leaders reject the compromise and close their eyes to the suffering of their citizens, the war will continue. The indication that both sides are ready for serious negotiations and there is no interruption of fire. The biggest price of this war will be paid by ordinary people, civilians, children.