Ukraine Warupdated 1h ago3 min read
Russia Fires Three Waves Of Ballistic Missiles At Kyiv After Witkoff Meets Putin
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Russia launched three waves of ballistic missiles and drones at Kyiv overnight. Casualties reported range from at least one death to dozens injured.
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Kyiv hit after talks
Russia launched three waves of ballistic missiles at Kyiv in the hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
Zelenskyy said Russia launched 21 ballistic missiles toward the capital in three waves, and he wrote that there were numerous hits and damages including residential buildings, energy infrastructure, infrastructure at one of the railway stations and the metro, shopping centers, and businesses.
Zelenskyy reported that at least two people were killed and 34 people injured in Kyiv and the surrounding areas, and Ukraine's air force said Russia used a mixture of ballistic and cruise missiles in its overnight attacks, none of which were intercepted.
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 210 drones and that 181 were shot down or otherwise suppressed, while the air force reported impacts in 32 locations.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces shot down at least 808 Ukrainian drones overnight, with interceptions reported over 17 Russian regions, occupied Crimea and the Black Sea.
Humanitarian dispute and casualties
Zelenskyy said the Russian strikes were "demonstrative" and indicated "no real changes in its attitude towards everything that is happening," after Witkoff described Putin as a "humanitarian" during their meeting in St. Petersburg.
Zelenskyy wrote, "When Russian ballistic missiles are the response to negotiations, real pressure must be applied to Russia to encourage different actions," and he called for strengthening air defense, the rapid supply of missiles, the ability to destroy ballistic missile launch systems and sanctions for the war.
Ukraine's national emergency service said Russian attacks on Kyiv overnight into Thursday killed at least one person and injured 22, including four children, while Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said metro infrastructure at the Pivdenny Bridge, which spans the Dnipro River, was damaged.
DW quoted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha saying, "Overnight, Kyiv residents heard what Russian 'humanism' truly sounds like: a brutal attack with dozens of ballistic missiles striking energy infrastructure, medical facilities, shopping centers, and residential Areas," and it also cited Sybiha warning, "Appeasement, servility, and flattery will not stop this war. Only strength will."
Russia's Defense Ministry said it downed 808 Ukrainian drones overnight, and it also reported at least two people were killed in the Ukrainian strikes on Russia.
What comes next
Witkoff told Putin Washington was "grateful" for the diesel deal, and he said the discussions were "constructive" while he described continued trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine at the technical level. Ushakov said Putin agreed "in principle" to resume US-mediated peace talks with Kyiv as soon as next month, and he said the Kremlin wanted the talks to focus on post-war security. CNN said Putin said the Kremlin was ready to resume trilateral peace talks next month, and it reported that at the request of US special envoy Steve Witkoff during their three-hour meeting on Wednesday, Putin said he would be willing to resume talks with Ukraine and the United States after November 10.
Zelenskyy said on social media that it was important to keep trying to find the right solutions to end the war, but he added that when Russia responds to negotiations with ballistic missiles, real pressure on Russia is needed to bring about different steps. Russia's Defense Ministry and Ukraine's air force both described large-scale drone and missile activity, with Russia reporting 808 Ukrainian drones shot down overnight and Ukraine reporting impacts in 32 locations from the overnight attacks on Kyiv.
