Camilla Jessen
As Ukraine prepares for peace talks in Istanbul, Russian forces launch a barrage of attacks on civilian areas.
On the eve of planned peace talks in Türkiye, Russian forces carried out a wave of attacks across Ukraine’s Donetsk region, killing two civilians and injuring seven, according to the National Police of Ukraine.
The May 13 assault included 2,631 individual strikes targeting both frontline areas and civilian infrastructure, damaging 65 civilian objects, including 61 residential buildings.
Multiple Sites Hit Across the Region
Among the hardest hit areas was Berestok, where a Smerch multiple launch rocket system killed two civilians. The city of Pokrovsk was also shelled, leaving three civilians wounded.
Additional attacks included:
- Illinivka: drone strike injured one civilian.
- Vasiutynske: aerial bomb (KAB-250) wounded one.
- Zolotyi Kolodiaz: one civilian injured by shelling.
- Novoeconomichne: another person wounded by KAB-250 aerial bomb.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on May 11 that he will travel to Türkiye on May 15 for renewed peace negotiations, and expressed hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin would join.
But just one day later, the Kremlin rejected Zelenskyy’s proposal for direct talks, calling it “political theater.”
Nevertheless, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has since confirmed that a Russian delegation will attend the Türkiye summit — though who will represent Moscow remains unclear.