Russia strikes Kyiv as Ukraine prepares for peace talks

Summarised from 6 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 7 Nov, 19:27 · Archive

Russia launched 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles at Kyiv overnight, damaging energy infrastructure and a major bridge.

Russia launched 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight Friday to Saturday, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attacks targeted energy infrastructure across multiple regions, causing widespread blackouts and water supply disruptions as temperatures dropped near freezing.

Ukrainian authorities reported that one person was killed and eight were wounded in the strikes on Kyiv itself. The New York Post reports that six people died including a seven-year-old child, with at least nine wounded across the country and the attacks hitting twelve Ukrainian regions. The strikes damaged homes and commercial buildings in the capital, forced the closure of the Northern Bridge across the Dnipro River, and hit electricity substations in at least five regions.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described an 'extremely difficult' situation for the city's residents, with severe disruptions to power, heating and water supplies. He said that by Saturday afternoon, the water supply system had returned to normal operation and around 60 percent of apartment buildings were connected to the heating system. Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal reported power cuts in five regions but did not specify how many homes were affected.

Russia's Defence Ministry said the strikes targeted what it described as military-industrial facilities and energy and transport infrastructure. The ministry claimed the Northern Bridge was being used by the Ukrainian military to transport weapons and equipment, and that the strikes also hit the Meridian Plant, which it said produces Flamingo cruise missiles.

President Zelenskyy accused Russia of attempting to 'push Kyiv and the entire country into a blackout' and said Moscow was 'preparing for the trilateral talks by launching ballistic missiles at Ukrainian critical infrastructure'. He added that Russia had 'a very particular view of diplomacy — as a subtype of aggression'. Zelenskyy appealed to the United States for increased support, stating 'Ukraine must not be left alone'.

The strikes damaged substations in Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Kharkiv and Dnipro regions, and struck substations that connect the Rivne and Khmelnytsky nuclear power plants to Kyiv and central Ukraine. A kindergarten in Kyiv was also damaged.

The attacks come days before a fourth round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. The New York Post reports that Ukraine struck back, hitting the Saratov oil refinery in southwestern Russia, causing major fires at the facility. Previous rounds of US-brokered talks have failed to achieve breakthroughs, with territorial and security questions remaining major points of contention.

How it is being reported

• Russia, Ukraine unleash missile and drone barrages days before Trump-brokered peace talksUkraine and Russia unleashed a fresh barrage of missiles and drones against each other Saturday -- trading devastating strikes just days before they are due to sit down for US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11.New York Post · 7 Nov, 18:53
• Eye Opener: Deadly strike in UkraineA deadly Russian strike in Ukraine, plus bomb threats disrupt air travel in Europe. All that and all that matters in today's Eye Opener.CBS News · 7 Nov, 15:40
• Blackouts and water shortages in Kyiv after Russia strikes Ukraine’s energy gridMoscow used 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles in attacks on electricity substations and bridge over the Dnipro Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of trying to “plunge Kyiv and the entire country into a blackout”, following a major attack overnight on energy infrastructure in the capital and a bridge over the Dnipro River. Ukraine’s president said Moscow’s preparations for peace talks next week involved pummelling a city of millions with ballistic missiles. Continue reading...The Guardian · 7 Nov, 13:03
• Ukraine's power network suffers further damage after fresh Russian strikesThe attacks come before Ukrainian and Russian delegations are due to take part in trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi next week.BBC News · 7 Nov, 12:49
• Russia launches massive strike on KyivAs Ukraine prepares for another round of talks with Russia and the United States next week, Moscow has launched a massive overnight strike. At least five people were injured in Kyiv, where Russian missiles damaged residential and commercial buildings, forced the closure of a bridge over the Dnipro River and caused fresh power and water outages. Ophélie Jacobson reports.France 24 · 7 Nov, 12:15
• Ukraine: Russia hits Kyiv with airstrikes ahead of trilateral talksThe strikes hit a major bridge and energy facilities in the Kyiv region. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of trying to "push" Ukraine "into a blackout" ahead of talks in Abu Dhabi.DW News · 7 Nov, 09:21
• Moscow strikes Kyiv as Ukraine prepares for talks with Russia and the USMoscow carried out missile strikes on Kyiv overnight Friday to Saturday, targeting energy infrastructure and injuring at least five people, authorities said. A trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine and the US is scheduled to take place next week in Abu Dhabi for a new round of negotiations aimed at ending the war.France 24 · 7 Nov, 08:08

In this story: Volodymyr Zelenskyy · Russia · Ukraine · United States · Kyiv · Abu Dhabi · Dnipro River

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log