Charles Mains

Russian authorities say air defenses downed more than 60 Ukrainian drones on approach to Moscow, forcing the temporary closure of two of the capital's main airports. The Ukrainian attacks followed Russia's deadly bombardment of Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, Saturday that also injured scores of people.

Russian authorities say air defenses downed more than 60 Ukrainian drones on approach to Moscow, forcing the temporary closure of two of the capital's main airports. The Ukrainian attacks followed Russia's deadly bombardment of Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, Saturday that also injured scores of people.

All that as a weekend agreement to exchange prisoners, and the remains of soldiers broke down in acrimony. Russia accused Ukraine of delaying the swap after Moscow's defense ministry brought trucks it claimed contained the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to the border.

All that as a weekend agreement to exchange prisoners, and the remains of soldiers broke down in acrimony. Russia accused Ukraine of delaying the swap after Moscow's defense ministry brought trucks it claimed contained the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to the border.

In turn, Ukrainian officials claimed details for the exchange had never been finalized and accused Russia of playing, quote, dirty games. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

In turn, Ukrainian officials claimed details for the exchange had never been finalized and accused Russia of playing, quote, dirty games. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

The Russian attack struck cities and towns across Ukraine with images posted online showing several houses and apartment buildings reduced to rubble. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians, yet in a statement Russia's defense ministry said it had carried out precision strikes against a range of military targets.

The Russian attack struck cities and towns across Ukraine with images posted online showing several houses and apartment buildings reduced to rubble. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians, yet in a statement Russia's defense ministry said it had carried out precision strikes against a range of military targets.

The ministry also accused Ukraine of sending waves of drones into Russian airspace for the third day in a row. All of this has unfolded as Moscow and Kiev made good on a pledge to free 1,000 prisoners from both sides, the lone substantive result from recent peace talks that saw Russia refuse to join Ukraine in agreeing to a U.S.-backed ceasefire. Charles Manson, PR News, Moscow.

The ministry also accused Ukraine of sending waves of drones into Russian airspace for the third day in a row. All of this has unfolded as Moscow and Kiev made good on a pledge to free 1,000 prisoners from both sides, the lone substantive result from recent peace talks that saw Russia refuse to join Ukraine in agreeing to a U.S.-backed ceasefire. Charles Manson, PR News, Moscow.

The phone calls come in the wake of peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, Turkey on Friday, their first direct negotiations since the early days of the war. That led to an agreement for a mass prisoner swap, but fell short of Western demands. Russia joined Ukraine in signing on to an immediate 30-day ceasefire.

The phone calls come in the wake of peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, Turkey on Friday, their first direct negotiations since the early days of the war. That led to an agreement for a mass prisoner swap, but fell short of Western demands. Russia joined Ukraine in signing on to an immediate 30-day ceasefire.

Instead, Russia has kept up the military pressure, launching mass drone attacks over the weekend. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

Instead, Russia has kept up the military pressure, launching mass drone attacks over the weekend. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

There had been speculation as to whether Putin would attend the talks ever since the Russian leader proposed them, choosing to reveal the idea to journalists in a surprise announcement over the weekend. Putin's offer came amid pressure from Western powers to agree to an immediate 30-day ceasefire or face new sanctions on Russian banking and energy.

There had been speculation as to whether Putin would attend the talks ever since the Russian leader proposed them, choosing to reveal the idea to journalists in a surprise announcement over the weekend. Putin's offer came amid pressure from Western powers to agree to an immediate 30-day ceasefire or face new sanctions on Russian banking and energy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had committed to attend the negotiations if Putin did the same, but President Trump, currently in the Middle East, also said he might join if it helped bring the sides together. Yet late Monday, the Kremlin announced it was sending mid-level technocrats to Istanbul, several of whom were involved in earlier failed negotiations three years ago.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had committed to attend the negotiations if Putin did the same, but President Trump, currently in the Middle East, also said he might join if it helped bring the sides together. Yet late Monday, the Kremlin announced it was sending mid-level technocrats to Istanbul, several of whom were involved in earlier failed negotiations three years ago.

Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.