The southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa was engulfed in flames late Thursday after being struck by a large-scale Russian drone attack, hours after US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about ending the war and as peace talks are set to resume on Monday.

Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Wednesday of violating a new agreement to refrain from attacks on energy targets, with scores of drone strikes launched hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone to Russia's Vladimir Putin.

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the negotiations between the United States and Russia over a ceasefire in Ukraine, examines Canada’s attempts to forge European alliances amidst a trade war with Donald Trump and – at a pivotal moment for the International Criminal Court - explores the impact of the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte,

Ukraine struck a major Russian strategic bomber airfield on Thursday with drones, triggering a huge blast and fire about 700 km (435 miles) from the front lines of the war, Russian and Ukrainian officials said.

The ministry said Russian forces attacked Dobropillia with ballistic missiles, multiple rockets and drones, damaging eight multi-story buildings and 30 cars.

Ukraine said its Neptune cruise missile now has a range of over 600 miles and has already been used in combat.