Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has urged Kyiv’s allies to help finance a massive expansion of the country’s drone production, saying Ukraine could manufacture up to 20 million drones next year if sufficient funding is secured. He described the modern arms race as one centered on drones rather than nuclear weapons, emphasizing that production scale will determine the path to peace. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced efforts to restart prisoner exchanges with Russia that could free 1,200 Ukrainians, with talks mediated by Turkey and the UAE. On the economic front, Ukraine signed an agreement with Greece to import U.S.-supplied liquefied natural gas, bolstering energy security ahead of winter. The deal, lasting until March 2026, is part of a broader European effort to strengthen regional energy cooperation. Finnish President Alexander Stubb cautioned that a ceasefire remains unlikely before spring 2026, urging Western leaders to intensify pressure on Moscow and expand support for Kyiv.

At least eight people were killed and many injured as Russia launched a massive missile and drone assault across Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack involved around 430 drones and 18 missiles, including ballistic and aeroballistic types, causing severe damage to residential and critical infrastructure in multiple regions. Debris from an Iskander missile reportedly struck the Azerbaijani embassy complex in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials confirmed that a Zircon missile was identified in the Sumy region. Emergency services are conducting rescue and firefighting operations. Zelensky renewed his call for additional air defense systems and interceptor missiles from Europe and the United States, urging stronger sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have shot down 216 Ukrainian drones overnight, declaring a state of emergency in the city of Novorossiysk after the attacks.

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on nearly every district of Kyiv early Friday, killing at least one person and injuring 15 others, according to city officials. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the assault as 'massive,' noting that fires broke out in multiple residential buildings across eight of the city’s ten districts. Emergency services rescued more than 40 people from damaged structures. The strikes reportedly targeted key infrastructure, including heating, electricity, and water supply systems. Ukrainian authorities said air defense units were active during the attack. The assault marks one of the most intense bombardments on the Ukrainian capital in recent months, as Russia continues to escalate its offensive against Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilian areas.

Ukraine’s Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk resigned on November 12 following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for their departure amid a major corruption scandal involving the state nuclear power company Energoatom. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is investigating alleged kickback schemes linked to Energoatom and several senior officials, including Halushchenko, though no formal charges have been filed against him. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed submitting their resignation requests to parliament and announced the suspension of Energoatom’s vice president. Zelensky emphasized that the resignations were necessary to restore public trust and pledged sanctions against others implicated. The government also dismissed Energoatom’s supervisory board and ordered a new audit to strengthen oversight. The scandal has intensified scrutiny of corruption within Ukraine’s energy sector as the country continues to face wartime challenges and infrastructure strain.

Russia launched a large-scale combined air assault on Kyiv early Friday, injuring at least 11 people and igniting fires across multiple districts, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Emergency crews battled blazes and cleared debris as officials urged residents to remain in shelters during the ongoing attack. Several residential and nonresidential buildings, as well as medical and educational facilities, were damaged in districts including Darnytskyi, Dniprovskyi, Podilskyi, and Shevchenkivskyi. In the wider Kyiv region, strikes damaged critical infrastructure and private homes, injuring at least one civilian. The assault came amid renewed European Union calls for Ukraine to intensify anti-corruption efforts following a recent graft scandal, while reaffirming continued financial and military support for the country’s defense against Russia’s invasion.

Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, hitting key natural gas centers that provide heating, resulting in power outages in multiple regions. Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk confirmed the assaults, emphasizing that emergency electricity cuts are in place until the system stabilizes. Experts warn that the strikes could lead to severe heating shortages during the winter months. Nearly four years of Russian aggression have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s electricity and heating grids, damaging critical civilian infrastructure. Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper reported that a drone strike damaged southern region energy facilities without causing casualties. In response, Ukraine has increased attacks on Russian oil depots and refineries, aiming to disrupt Moscow’s fuel exports and create nationwide shortages. Despite the hostilities, Ukraine pledges to maintain electricity and heating during the harsh winter season.

Ukraine carried out a major missile strike on Russia’s Bryansk Chemical Plant on October 22, using British-made Storm Shadow missiles. Ukrainian military officials described the operation as a “successful strike,” claiming the attack penetrated Russian air defenses and targeted a key facility in Russia’s military-industrial complex. The plant reportedly produces gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components, which are allegedly used by Russian forces in attacks on Ukrainian territory. Russia has not yet issued an official response. Kyiv maintains that targeting facilities critical to Moscow’s war machinery is necessary to weaken Russia’s offensive capabilities. The strike coincides with European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announcing plans to intensify pressure on Russia’s economy and defense industry until President Vladimir Putin agrees to peace negotiations. Early Wednesday, Russia launched another air raid on Kyiv, highlighting the ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022 and continues to involve territorial disputes including Crimea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to help end the ongoing war in Ukraine by applying the same diplomatic approach that recently brought about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. According to a report by Samaa TV, Zelensky made the appeal during a telephone conversation, where he congratulated Trump on his successful mediation in Gaza. The two leaders also discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defense systems and long-range missile capabilities amid continued Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the United States’ continued support and confirmed that specific agreements were reached to enhance Ukraine’s defense strength. Drawing on Trump’s earlier diplomatic success in the Middle East, Zelensky urged him to use that experience to promote peace in Eastern Europe, stressing that Russia must be compelled to join meaningful negotiations through a position of strong resistance.

A Russian drone strike on a passenger train station in Shostka, Sumy region, has left at least one dead and over thirty injured. The attack occurred on Saturday morning, sparking a fire that engulfed a passenger train. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assault as “barbaric,” while prosecutors confirmed the recovery of a 71-year-old man’s body. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said Russia used a “double-tap” tactic, targeting rescuers during the second strike. Power outages followed in Shostka and surrounding areas. Ukrainian officials reported that Russia has been attacking railway and energy infrastructure almost daily for two months, cutting off over 50,000 households in the latest strikes. Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed to have hit Russia’s Kirishi oil refinery near St. Petersburg with a drone attack, and French photojournalist Antoine Lallican was killed in another Russian strike in eastern Ukraine, becoming the 14th journalist to die since the 2022 invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Israel has supplied Ukraine with a Patriot missile defense system, marking a significant development in Kyiv’s defensive capabilities.

Zelensky also claimed Ukraine will soon acquire two additional Patriot systems. This contradicts earlier statements by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which told The Kyiv Independent in June that no Patriot systems had been sent.

Zelensky stressed that the U.S.-made Patriot defense system would greatly bolster Ukraine’s military efforts in the ongoing war.

Ukraine will require at least $120 billion next year to continue resisting Russian aggression, and the same amount will be necessary even if the war ends, said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Currently, Ukraine spends nearly one-third of its GDP on defense and relies heavily on tens of billions in Western aid to sustain its economy. Shmyhal warned:
“If we fall behind in defense spending, Ukraine risks losing more territory to Russia.”

He urged that frozen Russian assets in the West be confiscated to fund Ukraine’s defense needs. Moscow responded sharply, calling any such move “outright theft” with “serious consequences.”

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested using frozen Russian assets as collateral for a “reparations loan” to Ukraine, though clarified that the EU’s 27 member states would not directly seize the funds.

Russia launched a cruise missile attack on Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv early Sunday, marking the first time the building has been hit since Moscow’s 2022 military invasion. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed the damage to the roof and upper floors. The Ukrainian Air Force reported over 800 drones and missiles were deployed overnight, hitting 37 locations while 8 intercepted missiles and drones fell elsewhere. The attack continues to spread fear among civilians.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has turned down Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to meet in Moscow, citing ongoing missile strikes and shelling in his country. Instead, he has invited Putin to Kyiv. The Kremlin insists Zelensky was invited for “talks, not surrender.” Recent days have seen intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine, including over 1,300 drones, 900 guided bombs, and around 50 missile strikes across 14 regions. Zelensky emphasizes Kyiv as the only safe venue for discussions.

Ukraine has declined Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer for peace talks in Moscow. Putin suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could attend if he wished, but Ukraine noted at least seven other countries—including Hungary, Switzerland, and Turkey—have offered to host negotiations. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized Zelensky is ready for talks anytime but accused Putin of making deliberately unacceptable proposals. Putin, meanwhile, questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy as president, citing the end of his five-year term and lack of elections due to martial law.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed a proposal for a 40-kilometer buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian forces, saying it does not reflect modern warfare. He argued that today’s conflict, driven by drones, already creates a de facto buffer zone near the front lines. His remarks came after reports that European leaders were exploring the idea to halt fighting or reach a long-term deal. Zelensky stressed that only those unaware of current military realities would suggest such a measure.