Russia and Ukraine Trade Fresh Strikes as US Envoy’s Peace Mission Ends
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.
Russia Agrees to Resume Ukraine Peace Talks, Trump Sees Progress
Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to resume trilateral peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States, as US President Donald Trump says efforts to end the war are closer to a breakthrough than at any previous point.
The announcement followed a meeting in St. Petersburg on Wednesday between Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. According to the Kremlin, the two sides discussed restarting negotiations after November 10, raising hopes for renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict that has continued for more than four years.
Trump said the United States was making progress towards ending the war, describing the current situation as the closest the parties had been to a resolution. However, no final peace agreement or comprehensive ceasefire has been announced.
Russia Signals Readiness for Fresh Negotiations
Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Russia was prepared in principle to resume trilateral negotiations around November 10. The discussions are expected to address a possible post-war security framework for Russia and Ukraine.
The proposed format would bring representatives of Moscow, Kyiv and Washington back to the negotiating table. Abu Dhabi has been mentioned as a possible venue for the next round of discussions, although a final location and schedule have not been confirmed.
The renewed diplomatic initiative follows earlier rounds of talks that produced limited progress, including prisoner exchanges, but failed to resolve major disagreements over territory, security guarantees and the future relationship between Ukraine and Western countries.
Trump Presses for an End to the War
Trump has increased pressure on both sides to reach a settlement, particularly on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consider an agreement with Moscow.
The US administration has been working on proposals intended to bring the parties closer to a negotiated settlement. Witkoff’s latest meeting with Putin followed discussions in Oslo with Zelenskyy and European representatives, where officials addressed security guarantees, reconstruction and the broader framework for ending hostilities.
Witkoff described the recent diplomatic contacts as showing some momentum. The discussions also covered potential improvements in US-Russia economic relations and other international issues.
Ukraine Wants Security Guarantees
Ukraine has indicated that it is willing to continue diplomatic engagement but insists that any settlement must address its long-term security.
Zelenskyy has said that freezing the fighting along the current front line could serve as an initial step towards ending the war. Kyiv also wants credible guarantees to prevent another Russian invasion and has raised questions about occupied territories and post-war reconstruction.
Russia and Ukraine remain divided over fundamental terms, including territorial control and the future security arrangements for the region. Previous negotiations have struggled to bridge these differences.
Fighting Continues Despite Diplomatic Efforts
The renewed push for negotiations comes as fighting and long-range strikes continue. Ukrainian officials reported civilian casualties and damage to residential areas following Russian attacks, while Russian authorities reported intercepting large numbers of Ukrainian drones.
The continuing violence highlights the gap between diplomatic progress and conditions on the battlefield. Even if trilateral negotiations resume in November, a settlement would depend on whether the parties can agree on a ceasefire, territorial questions and enforceable security arrangements.
For now, Russia’s willingness to restart talks offers a new opening for diplomacy, but the timeline for ending the war remains uncertain. The next round of negotiations will be an important test of whether the renewed contacts can produce concrete progress towards peace.