Russia launched 112 drones at Ukraine overnight from May 19 to 20, targeting multiple regions including Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Sumy Oblast — where 56,000 residents have now been evacuated under mandatory orders.

The strikes came just nine hours after US President Donald Trump’s call with Vladimir Putin, during which Mr Trump claimed ceasefire talks would begin “immediately”, although Putin again rejected a 30-day truce.

Sumy Oblast, bordering Russia’s Kursk region, faces daily attacks and has seen increasing use of guided bombs and small assault groups attempting to breach the frontier.

Regional governor Oleh Hryhorov said over 86,000 people are subject to evacuation orders, with 65% already relocated amid intensifying cross-border assaults.

The latest wave of evacuations follows a deadly Russian strike on a civilian bus in Bilopillia on May 17 that killed nine people — underscoring the continued threat to civilians even as diplomatic efforts are said to be under way.