Zelensky: ‘Raids on four regions, hundreds of thousands without electricity’. Pope calls for new peace initiatives following the Oleshky ceasefire

“Overnight, our energy infrastructure was attacked by Russia in four regions: Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr and Khmelnytskyi. Power substations, transformers and transmission lines supplying electricity to people’s homes were targeted. Teams of technicians are at work everywhere. At present, hundreds of thousands of households are still without electricity.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj wrote this in a post on X. Over the past week, he noted, Russia has launched 1,940 attack drones, over 1,580 guided aerial bombs and 44 missiles of various types – 36 of which were ballistic – against the country. ‘The intensity of the attacks is extremely high, and the Russians are trying to exploit the shortage of ballistic missile interceptors to the full. Every day we inform the United States, Europe and other partners who can help us of our need for Patriot missiles. This month, the United States and European countries have taken new decisions on further aid packages for Ukraine. But these supplies cannot take years to arrive. Russia is destroying infrastructure and killing our citizens right now, and is relying on ballistic missiles for this winter. Consequently, decisions on air defence must also be implemented immediately,” he concluded.

The first round of negotiations to resolve the Ukrainian conflict is expected to take place in a trilateral format between the United States, Russia and Ukraine. This was emphasised by Yuri Ushakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, to Vesti journalist Pavel Zarubin. According to the adviser, European representatives could also be present at the negotiating table, but the talks are expected to begin in a trilateral format. “We have working contacts with the Americans. Therefore, it is logical, of course, that at least the first rounds of talks should take place in a trilateral format,” said Ushakov.

Europe’s approach – which continues to emphasise the need to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia – makes any dialogue with Moscow impossible. This was stated by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in an interview with Vesti journalist Pavel Zarubin. According to Peskov, European representatives should be present at the negotiating table to find a solution to the conflict in Ukraine, but the current European stance would not allow for any dialogue to begin. “This is a very difficult situation. On the one hand, they should be at the negotiating table. But why should they be there now, given this approach? It is pointless. That is why they are not there at the moment,” he said. Peskov specifically mentioned Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who, he said, had chosen to speak in a national capacity, setting themselves apart from the stance taken by Brussels and other European representatives. “With such an approach, it is impossible to engage in dialogue with them,” he added.

Russia is trialling the export of grain via the Arctic port of Murmansk – thousands of kilometres from the production areas – as Ukraine’s campaign of drone attacks has effectively blocked the traditional route via the Black Sea.

According to a report on the port’s Telegram channel, on Wednesday a bulk carrier began loading 29,500 tonnes of wheat, destined for buyers in North Africa; for the occasion, the port facilities – usually used for handling fertilisers – were adapted for handling grain. This unusual diversion illustrates how the intensifying battle for control of the Black Sea has disrupted trade flows from Russia and Ukraine – the world’s largest wheat exporter and another major supplier, respectively – despite fairly abundant harvests in both countries. These disruptions have driven up costs for foreign buyers, whilst, at the same time, the prices paid to Russian and Ukrainian farmers have plummeted.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains one of the most pressing challenges complicating the resolution of global economic issues. “Obviously, a great deal of work will be needed to find a way to resolve some of these [economic] problems. And some of them, frankly, are made even more difficult by particularly pressing challenges, such as the war between Russia and Ukraine,” Rubio told reporters at the end of a G20 ministerial meeting.

He also stated that the conflict in Ukraine has, in some respects, reached a stalemate and risks leading to further escalation.

Kiev’s air defence forces have announced that they have neutralised 371 of the 433 drones (64 of which were Shahed-type jet-powered drones) launched by the Russians onto Ukrainian territory overnight, which Russian troops have been using to attack Ukraine since the evening of 31 October. This was reported by Ukrinform, citing the Air Force on Telegram. Impacts were recorded in 16 locations, whilst debris from the downed targets fell at 14 points, according to the bulletin.

Further reading

The end of Novaya Gazeta: how silence is falling over independent journalism in Russia

30 October 2026

A drone struck an “industrial plant” overnight in the Kstovo district, in the Russian region of Nizhny Novgorod, east of Moscow. This was reported by Governor Gleb Nikitin, after Ukrainian media had reported an attack on the Kstovo oil refinery, considered one of the largest in the country. Nikitin spoke of a “massive drone attack”, stating that the facility had sustained “significant damage”. “Over 100 drones were destroyed” and, according to initial reports, there were no casualties, the governor added, without specifying the activities carried out at the affected facility. Ukrainian media identified the site as the Kstovo refinery, which produces fuels and lubricants. On Friday, Moscow had reported the resumption of Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries following a break of several days. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak had stated on state television that three refineries and a petrochemical complex had been hit.