Missile explosions struck Kyiv early Saturday, wounding at least five people, as Ukraine prepared for a new round of talks with Russia and the United States, according to The Associated Press. Negotiators are due to meet Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, the AP reported.
Key Highlights
- The AP reported that the Kyiv strikes injured at least five people, damaged homes and a Dnipro River bridge, and caused new power and water outages.
- Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. are scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi, the fourth round brokered by the Trump administration.
- Territorial and security questions remain unresolved, according to the AP.
- Both sides report strikes. Many claims come from the combatants and have not been independently verified.
What Happened in Kyiv
The AP attributed the missiles to Russia but did not give a count or missile types. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the attack damaged energy facilities in the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions and called the capital’s energy situation “extremely difficult,” affecting heating and water supply.
Some outlets reported nine wounded in headlines. The AP said at least five, so the figure may change as authorities update their tallies.
Russia’s Account and Strikes Inside Russia
Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed it targeted the Northern Bridge in Kyiv, which it said carries weapons and military equipment, according to The Boston Globe, which carried the AP report. The ministry also said it hit a missile plant, a power station, a substation and an ammunition plant in the Kyiv region, plus a substation in Zhytomyr. It said it shot down 411 Ukrainian drones over 10 regions overnight.
Russian regional officials reported drone damage in Saratov and Oryol, and Belgorod officials reported one death when a drone hit a home, the AP said. These are official Russian claims and were not independently verified.
The Komyshuvakha Strike
In southern Ukraine, Russian guided bombs hit a former school and a nearby shelter in Komyshuvakha on Monday while residents waited for humanitarian aid, the AP reported. The school had been turned into an aid distribution center.
The AP said 55 people were killed, with dozens still missing. The village is near the front line.
The Abu Dhabi Talks
According to Al Jazeera, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the round on Monday, with adviser-level talks scheduled for Nov. 10 and 11. The Kremlin’s Dmitry Peskov said a Russian delegation led by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky would attend, Al Jazeera reported, citing TASS.
Witkoff said the agenda includes “post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace.” The AP said the previous round took place in Geneva in February, and that Western governments backing the effort are seeking a “new formula.”
Where Each Side Stands
On Oct. 21, Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, NTN24 reported. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia was ready in principle to resume trilateral talks, possibly in mid-November, with security after the conflict as the main topic.
NTN24 also reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed freezing the front line as a first step toward a ceasefire.
In Berlin on Nov. 3, Zelensky said he hoped the format would “open the way” to a leaders’ meeting that includes Putin, Al Jazeera reported. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said it was important that Russia “finally and seriously engages” in ceasefire talks, adding, “I do not see that happening so far.”
What to Watch Next
Al Jazeera reported that European governments want a role but are unlikely to be at the table in Abu Dhabi. Possible Trump, Xi and Putin talks are also mentioned for Nov. 18 and 19 at the APEC summit in China, and the G20 summit in Florida is set for Dec. 13 to 15. Whether Putin attends is unclear.
No ceasefire has been announced in the reports reviewed. For earlier diplomacy, see our G20 foreign ministers coverage on Ukraine, Iran and trade.
Watch: Coverage of the Abu Dhabi Talks
Video: “Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. to resume peace talks in Abu Dhabi” (YouTube).
Sources
- ABC News (AP): Missiles target Kyiv and wound 5 as Ukraine prepares for talks with Russia and the US
- The Boston Globe (AP): Missiles target Kyiv, wound 5 as Ukraine prepares for talks
- Al Jazeera: Zelenskyy hopes Abu Dhabi talks will open way to meeting with Putin
- NTN24: El Kremlin dice estar listo para reanudar conversaciones con Ucrania y EE. UU. en noviembre