Missile and drone attacks escalate in Kyiv and Moscow despite ongoing peace mediation

In the early hours of Thursday, a significant escalation in the war occurred as Russian forces launched a massive missile and drone strike on Kyiv, while Ukraine conducted a large-scale drone operation targeting Moscow. The Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital involved ballistic missiles and drones, resulting in two confirmed deaths and at least 34 injuries according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attacks caused damage to subway infrastructure on the Southern Bridge and hit central areas with cluster munitions, while energy infrastructure in the industrial hub of Kremenchuk was also struck.

Simultaneously, Russian authorities reported two people wounded near Moscow following an extensive Ukrainian drone operation. These hostilities continued despite recent diplomatic efforts led by US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Following a meeting with US officials, President Vladimir Putin had expressed a willingness to resume trilateral peace talks after November 10. However, President Zelensky stated that these latest attacks demonstrate that there has been no substantive change in Russian military strategy, despite claims from the Trump administration regarding progress toward settling the conflict.