**Russia Reports Second Consecutive Day of Ukrainian Drone Attacks on Moscow**
In a continued escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine, a residential building in the outskirts of Moscow was reportedly damaged after a Ukrainian drone attack overnight. This marks the second consecutive day of attacks on Moscow Oblast, with multiple industrial facilities targeted by Ukrainian drones and several unmanned aircraft downed on approach to the capital.
According to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, no one was injured in the attack that occurred as a result of falling drone debris. The full extent of the damage is not yet clear, but videos and photos posted on social media show explosions were heard in the area around 1:40 a.m. local time. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 48 Ukrainian drones in total.
**Ukraine and Russia Prepare for New Talks**
As tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to rise, both sides are preparing for new talks. President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the international community to apply renewed pressure on Russia ahead of another round of negotiations in Istanbul. “Words don’t work with Moscow,” he said. “That is why sanctions and real pressure on Russia are essential.”
The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, who hosted the last talks between Ukraine and Russia, expressed hope that both sides would come closer together during the upcoming negotiations.
**Russia Amasses Forces Near Ukraine’s Northeastern Border**
In a worrying sign of increased military activity, Russia has amassed enough forces in Kursk Oblast to potentially launch an attack on Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast. The State Border Guard Service spokesperson, Andrii Demchenko, warned that Russia had concentrated sufficient forces to carry out operations against Ukraine’s border.
This development comes amid warnings of a new possible Russian offensive this summer as U.S.-mediated peace efforts have failed to produce a ceasefire deal. Ukrainian authorities recently confirmed that Russian forces captured four Sumy Oblast villages close to the border.
**NATO Allies to Meet in Brussels**
The upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in the Ramstein format will be held on June 4 in Brussels under the chairmanship of the U.K. and Germany. The summit comes as Washington is trying to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia to end Moscow’s full-scale war.
Leadership over Ramstein transitioned following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, and during the previous meeting, NATO allies committed more than 21 billion euros ($23.8 billion) in long-term military aid to Ukraine.
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