The $30 million drone strike that shook St. Petersburg

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has written an open letter to Vladimir Putin, proposing a meeting on neutral territory to end the war, and warning that if peace is not achieved, Putin will have to fight for his own existence.

The letter comes at a pivotal moment in the conflict, as Ukraine launched a massive drone attack on St.. Petersburg, hitting a major oil terminal and a warship in dry-dock at a nearby naval base, hours before Putin's showcase economic forum began in the city.

Zelensky referenced this incident in the letter, writing that many Ukrainians view it positively that their long-range drones paid a visit to the opening of Putin's forum over 1,000 kilometers away, and noting that distance is not the limit of their capabilities.

Why 30,000 Russian soldiers became the prize

Zelensky noted that while Ukrainians remain resilient, there is a growing fatigue among Russians who are increasingly weary of the war's impact and ready for peace.

He claimed that more than 30,000 Russian soldiers were killed or seriously wounded in May alone, a casualty rate consistent month after month.

The Ukrainian leader proposed a meeting in a neutral country such as Switzerland, Turkey, or an Arab state, ruling out both Moscow and Kyiv as venues.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

Zelensky concluded with a stark threat: if Putin refuses peace, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence, and Putin will have to fight much harder for his own existence, not Russia's, but his own.

The timing of the letter is significant,as it comes at a moment when Moscow has intensified its deadly aerial campaign across Ukraine, seeking to exploit Kyiv's shortages and continued vulnerability to ballistic missile attacks.

The contrast between Ukraine's recent successes and Russia's ongoing aggression highlights the volatile nature of the conflict.

A familiar pattern from the 2019 crash

Zelensky criticized Putin's 26 years in power, reminding him that when he first came to power, many Ukrainians viewed him positively , but that is now in the past.

He argued that Russia cannot afford to keep losing soldiers at the current rate, stating that 63 percent of battlefield losses are killed, while only 37 percent are wounded,a ratio unsustainable for any army in the 21st century.

He accused Putin of waging a war without a real cause, driven by personal choice rather than necessity.

What auditors flagged in the May filing

Zelensky also mentioned that the Russian population is becoming less comfortable with the reality of war, tired of drone and missile attacks, petrol shortages, and rising prices.

He warned that Putin's resources are shrinking significantly and that he will not have enough money or political capital to keep buying the loyalty of Russians as he has for the past 26 years.

The letter ended with a call for direct engagement between the two leaders, emphasizing that Ukraine proposes ending the war through direct talks,not waiting for external actors like the Trump administration to return their attention to the conflict.