Overnight attacks resume between Russia and Ukraine following US envoy visit
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged major drone and missile attacks overnight, despite renewed diplomatic efforts involving the United States.
The attacks came shortly after US envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian president Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg for talks on ending the war. In Ukraine, Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that strikes had wounded 15 people in the capital, with eight hospitalized.
Additional damage occurred at the Pivdenny Bridge, where metro infrastructure was struck, restricting traffic between parts of the city. Ukraine's Air Force had warned residents of 'ballistic missiles towards Kyiv' throughout the early morning hours.
Ukraine claimed to have shot down 181 Russian UAVs overnight, though noted that strike drones remained in the air. In Russia, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported two people wounded during barrages of 630 drones, with 163 approaching the capital.
Diplomatic efforts
Following the meeting, President Donald Trump stated that both sides were 'the closest we've been' to ending the conflict, though no breakthrough was announced. The Kremlin expressed willingness to resume trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the US, potentially in mid-November after US midterm elections.
Agreements and tensions
Russia agreed to release US citizen Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher convicted of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, which he has denied. Trump delayed further sanctions on Russia, claiming this helped secure Hubbard's release.
The US also struck a fresh agreement with Russia to sell diesel, aimed at reducing fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict. This move has drawn criticism from Kyiv and several European governments.
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