Following a dramatic drone assault by Ukraine under 'Operation Spider’s Web', Russia has vowed retaliation. President Putin reportedly told Donald Trump in a 75-minute call that a response is inevitable after over 40 Russian bombers were destroyed.

In a statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dimitry Peskov said that Moscow was ready to use its close relations with Tehran to help in nuclear deal negotiations.

Moscow will decide how and when to respond to Ukraine's attacks on its airbases, the Kremlin said on Thursday, confirming that President Vladimir

The Ukrainian operation was “grounds for a nuclear attack,” declared Vladmir Solovyov, a firebrand host on Russian state TV, calling for strikes on the Ukrainian presidential office in Kyiv, and beyond.

Following the second round of direct peace talks with Ukraine, the Russian side leaked its proposal on how to end its war — effectively a demand for Ukraine's surrender. While those based in Russia interviewed by the Kyiv Independent share a desire for peace,

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that work on trying to reach a settlement to end the war in Ukraine was extraordinarily complex and that it would be wrong to expect any imminent decisions but that it was waiting for Ukrainian reaction to its proposals.

The Kremlin has increasingly embraced the Soviet dictator and his legacy, using them to exalt Russian history in a time of war, but he remains a deeply divisive figure in Russia.

By Ben Aris in Berlin Ukraine’s spectacularOperation Spiderweb drone strikes on Russian strategic bombers on June 1 will harden, not soften, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s resolve to continue fighting in Ukraine,