Description: Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, which recently conducted the strategic operation of crippling Russia’s long – range bombing capabilities published another attack on the Russian parts of the bridge connecting Russia with the Crimean Peninsula. The operation was published on SBU’s official Telegram channel where they have stated the Kerch bridge was the main target of the attack where an underwater explosion knocked down some of its strongest supporting pillars. Russia hasn’t so far directly retaliated for the attacks on the long – range bombers and the Crimean bridge, however, a significant buildup was recorded in the Sumy region where ground forces were advancing unabated. Monday’s talks in Istanbul yielded no concrete results with Russia further strengthening its negotiating position by restating maximalist demands. Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, claimed that optics surrounding the negotiations were perceived not as peace negotiations but as ultimatums imposed on Ukraine for surrender.
Impact: The possibility of a large Russian assault enlarges with Ukraine’s latest special operations and sabotage attempts further distancing the countries from a potential ceasefire or peace agreement. The Istanbul talks rephrased Russia’s demands for Ukraine’s unconditional surrender and further pried open political, diplomatic and military divisions between the warring sides. The stymied US involvement in recent developments continues to indicate that Trump and his administration might be considering withdrawing from the negotiations or imposing additional sanctions on Russia as a reparational measure in order to pressure Russia into backpedaling of its maximalist demands. Ukraine’s recent covert operations successes signal the country’s preparedness to inflict losses on the Russian side but doesn’t impact the current situation on the battlefronts. The elusive resolutions to the war or the beginning of an even keel negotiations still persist as the conflict widens its dimensions and distances both countries from engaging into constructive diplomatic dialogue.