RUSSIA VS. UKRAINE (Shutterstock).

In a violent prelude to the peace talks planned this week in Istanbul, Ukraine launched a major drone and missile attack into Russia on Sunday, destroying over 40 planes there.

The Associated Press reports that a Ukrainian military official claimed that the attack had been planned for more than a year and a half.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy said in his evening address that the drones had been hidden in mobile wooden houses and that the operation had been based in an office next to the local office of the FSB, the Russian intelligence and security service.

A chief target of the attack were missile-carrying bombers along with aircraft used to spot targets, air defenses and guided missiles.

Additionally. the AP reports that explosions had collapsed two bridges and derailed two trains in western Russia overnight.

‘Flamethrower’ used in Colorado attack

Authorities are terming an attack in Boulder, Colorado by a man with a “makeshift flamethrower” a terrorist attack.

The New York Times is reporting that the man –arrested and identified as Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, of Colorado Springs – reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” as he threw an “incendiary device” into a crowd of people honoring Israeli hostages.

It’s believed – so far – that the attacker acted alone, but the investigation is continuing. Six people reportedly suffered burns, two of them sustaining serious burns and were airlifted to a local hospital.

Dodgers and Angels both fall

The New York Yankees saved some face with a 7-3 victory Sunday over the Los Angeles Dodgers after losing the first two games of their three game series at Chavez Ravine.

All Dodger runs came on solo home runs – one each by Tommy Edman, Andy Pages and Max Muncy. With the loss the Blue Crew is 36-23 and still in first place in the National League West, two games ahead of the San Diego Padres.

In Cleveland, the Los Angeles Angels continued their slide, suffering their sixth loss in seven games as they lost 4-2 to the Guardians. One bright spot for the Halos is that Mike Trout is back and has gone 4-for-5 over two games.

The team is now 26-32 and in fourth place in the American League West.

Weather: Settling into the 70s

After a warm week, conditions in our West Orange County area are cooling slightly. The forecast for Monday is for a daytime high of 78 with an overnight low of 61. The skies should be mostly sunny. Tuesday will cool a bit to 76 (62) with morning clouds and afternoon sun. Thursday will continue that cooling trend to 73 (60) with mostly sunny skies. Thursday is expected to warm a bit to 76 (61) with partly cloudy skies.

Great Thoughts

“Through all our history, to the last
In the hour of darkness and peril and need
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoofbeats of that steed
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.”
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow