Ukraine launches nearly 1,200 drones at Russia as peace talks expand to Europe's security

Ukraine launched nearly 1,200 drones at Russia overnight in one of its largest aerial attacks of the war, while US and Russian negotiators expanded peace talks to include Europe's post-Cold War security arrangements, alarming European leaders. Russia's defence ministry said it shot down 1,198 long-range drones, though strikes on three regions killed seven people, including a 12-year-old, and wounded 17. Ukraine's General Staff said it hit an oil refinery in Volgograd, setting it ablaze, in a barrage designed to counter Moscow's insistence that Russian victory is inevitable. The talks shift follows US envoys briefing Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Russia agreeing to include Europe in future discussions. European leaders expressed wariness, with EU diplomat Kaja Kallas warning against walking into "traps" set by Russia, while Moscow seeks to dismantle Nato and the post-Cold War security architecture.