Russia-Ukraine war: Key developments day 1,190

On May 29, Ukraine launched a major overnight drone operation targeting key Russian military-industrial facilities in or near Moscow. Among the hit sites were the Angstrem microchip factory, the Kronstadt drone plant, and the Raduga missile facility. Russia responded by claiming its air defenses intercepted three Ukrainian drones heading toward Moscow. One drone reportedly struck a residential area south of the capital, but no casualties or significant damage were reported.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that its forces had seized the town of Kostiantynivka in Ukraine’s Sumy region and the village of Zelene Pole in Donetsk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that over 50,000 Russian troops have been positioned near northeastern Sumy, although Kyiv has taken defensive measures to prevent a broad summer offensive.

According to Russia's state news agency TASS, approximately 175,000 people have enlisted in the Russian military since the start of 2025.

Diplomatic Front:

US President Donald Trump reiterated his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that continued aggression and resistance to ceasefire discussions could provoke a stronger American response. He cautioned Putin against “playing with fire” and suggested the Russian leader may be deliberately stalling negotiations.

Despite the escalating conflict, Trump said he is not ready to impose new sanctions on Russia, hoping to preserve the possibility of a peace agreement. The Kremlin replied that Russia's national interests remain President Putin’s top priority.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported Trump’s stance, urging both sides to engage in sincere dialogue. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed resuming direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov recently discussed peace terms with Russia’s chief negotiator. Ukraine has already submitted its draft peace memorandum and is awaiting Moscow's version.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was in Moscow earlier this week, is set to visit Kyiv for further diplomatic discussions. Meanwhile, Ukraine has filed a complaint with the International Atomic Energy Agency, alleging that Russia is integrating the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant into its national power system.

Regional Security:

In response to rising tensions, NATO plans to ask Germany to contribute seven additional brigades around 40,000 troops to strengthen its collective defense capabilities, according to Reuters.

During Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s visit to Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to deepen cooperation with Kyiv and lift range restrictions on missiles co-produced by both nations. Germany also committed to delivering another 5 billion euros ($5.65 billion) in military aid to Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov argued that Germany’s missile collaboration and tank deliveries prove it is now actively involved in the conflict.

In related news, German prosecutors charged three individuals a Ukrainian, a Russian, and an Armenian with foreign espionage for allegedly planning to assassinate a Ukrainian man in Germany.