By making harsh, uncompromising demands in peace talks with Ukraine while continuing to pummel it with waves of missiles and drones, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a clear message: He will only accept a settlement on his terms and will keep fighting until they’re met.

Ukraine claims to have hit over 40 Russian military aircraft in a large-scale drone attack. The Ukrainian security service, the SBU, stated: "Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia." The regional governor of Russia's Irkutsk region,