Russia and Ukraine exchanged fresh missile and drone attacks overnight, underscoring the challenges facing renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. The strikes came as US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff concluded high-level discussions with Russian and Ukrainian leaders aimed at finding a path towards negotiations.
In Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, Russian missile strikes injured at least 15 people and damaged infrastructure near the Southern Bridge over the Dnipro River, according to local authorities. The attacks also disrupted traffic. A separate strike on the city on Wednesday evening had injured six people.
In the northeastern Kharkiv region, a Russian attack killed a woman and injured four others, regional officials said. A drone also struck energy infrastructure in the Kremenchuk area of central Ukraine, although the extent of the damage was not immediately clear.
Ukraine launches drones towards Moscow
Three waves of ballistic missiles have been launched at Kyiv by Russian “humanitarians” since yesterday evening. They used 21 missiles. Unfortunately, numerous sites across the city have been hit and damaged: ordinary residential buildings, energy facilities, infrastructure at one of the railway stations and the metro, shopping malls, and businesses. Even a monastery is among the damaged sites. Our emergency services are working at all the affected locations. Twelve of our regions came under Russian attack overnight. In Kyiv and across the regions, 34 people were injured, including five children. As of now, two people have been confirmed killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Almost immediately after another round of talks, Russia launched a pointed attack. This means there has been no real change in its attitude toward everything that is happening. It is important to keep trying to find the right solutions to end this war. But when Russia responds to negotiations with ballistic missiles, real pressure on Russia is needed to bring about different steps – steps toward ending the killing. Stronger air defenses and the rapid delivery of missiles, the ability to destroy ballistic missile launchers, sanctions over the war – all of this must be in place. I am grateful to everyone who sees the situation for what it is and acknowledges the reality. The aggressor deserves to be treated accordingly. Ukraine deserves support. People’s lives deserve protection. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine!
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 22, 2026
Russia also reported a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said around 630 drones had been sent towards the Russian capital overnight, with most intercepted before reaching their targets. Two people were reportedly injured near Moscow.
In the western Russian city of Lipetsk, drone strikes injured a man and damaged residential buildings and a medical facility, according to regional authorities.
The latest exchanges highlight how attacks on both sides continue even as Washington seeks to revive diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, which escalated into a full-scale war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
US envoy holds talks with Putin and Zelenskyy
Witkoff met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Oslo earlier this week before travelling to Russia for discussions with President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. The meetings were part of the Trump administration’s latest effort to bring the two sides back to negotiations.
Zelenskyy has expressed support for proposed three-way talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States. The Kremlin has also indicated that Moscow is willing in principle to resume US-mediated negotiations in November, although major disagreements remain.
The proposed discussions could focus on the conditions for ending the war and future security arrangements for both countries. However, no immediate breakthrough was announced, and the continuing strikes suggest that the path to a ceasefire remains uncertain.
Diplomacy faces a difficult test
The renewed violence comes amid mounting concerns about attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Kyiv has repeatedly called for stronger protection against Russian missile and drone attacks, while Moscow has continued to report Ukrainian strikes on targets inside Russia.
For now, the diplomatic initiative has opened the possibility of renewed talks, but there is no confirmed agreement to stop the fighting. Whether the planned negotiations can produce concrete progress will depend on the positions taken by Moscow, Kyiv and Washington in the coming weeks.
