Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for a new round of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, even as Russia pounded Ukraine with a missile strike that killed 12 soldiers and the biggest drone assault of the three-year war.

Ahead of ceasefire talks that are supposed to begin in Istanbul Monday, Ukrainian drone strikes disabled at least 40 long-range Russian bombers.

With Russia saying its terms for peace must remain secret until the talks begin, Ukraine won’t confirm whether its delegation will even attend.

Hundreds of towns are under evacuation orders in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region where Russian forces are focussing their attacks, as Kyiv officials warn it could be preparing a new offensive.Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for 11 settlements on Saturday,

Russia dramatically intensified missile and drone attacks across Ukraine this month in an effort to sap Ukrainians’ morale – but it is also stepping up ground attacks in many areas along the long frontline,

Russia's troop buildup on Ukraine's border raises tensions. Zelenskyy and Trump push for peace talks, but Moscow's refusal to hand over memorandum stalls negotiations.

Trump previously said it would take him "about two weeks" to know whether or not Russian President Vladimir Putin was serious about a peace deal.

Falling debris from a destroyed Ukrainian drone hit an apartment block in southwest Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Thursday.