This marks an unprecedented escalation in the ongoing conflict as Kyiv seeks to exert pressure on Moscow on the eve of crucial peace talks in Istanbul.

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed on Sunday that five air bases were struck by Ukrainian drones, resulting in damage to several aircraft. Kyiv claimed that around 40 Russian aircraft, including nuclear-capable TU-95 and TU-22 strategic bombers, were destroyed in the attacks. These operations, reportedly prepared by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) over 11 months, represent a significant intensification of the military confrontation.

As international observers weigh in, speculation grows that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is aiming to twist the Kremlin's arm ahead of the second round of peace negotiations set for June 2 in Istanbul. The Russian delegation, led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medynsky, has already arrived in Turkey for the discussions. However, experts remain skeptical about the prospects for an immediate ceasefire.

A critical concern on analysts' minds is whether these latest assaults could push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward considering the use of nuclear weapons. In a May 4 broadcast, Putin mentioned that the need to deploy nuclear weapons in Ukraine had not arisen and expressed hope that such measures would not be necessary. Emphasizing Russia's capability, he noted, "We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires."

Putin's comments align with his revised nuclear doctrine signed in November 2024, which lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons to include conventional attacks supported by a nuclear power. This shift has heightened global tensions and cast a shadow over the upcoming peace talks.

The deteriorating landscape of nuclear treaties also adds a layer of complexity to the situation. The United States has blamed Russia for the collapse of significant arms control agreements, such as the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. American withdrawal from these treaties, citing Russian violations which Moscow denies, has further strained bilateral relations.

As the international community watches with bated breath, the stakes in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have never been higher. Both nations' leaders face intense scrutiny as they navigate this perilous situation on the brink of potential nuclear implications.