Russia, Ukraine unleash missile and drone barrages days before Trump-brokered peace talks

Russia and Ukraine exchanged large missile and drone attacks on Saturday, days before negotiators from both countries and the United States are due to meet in Abu Dhabi. The strikes underline the difficulty of pursuing peace talks while attacks continue, and have sharpened Ukrainian concerns that wider European security discussions could weaken its position.

Ukrainian officials said Russia fired 36 ballistic missiles and 172 drones at Kyiv and its surrounding region, killing six people, including a seven-year-old, and injuring at least nine. The attack damaged homes, businesses and Kyiv’s Northern Bridge, and disrupted power and water; President Volodymyr Zelensky said North Korean missiles targeted energy facilities. Ukraine struck the Saratov oil refinery in Russia, which can process about 140,000 barrels of crude a day. The Abu Dhabi talks are scheduled for 10 and 11 November, with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff leading the US delegation.