Russian strikes continued today in Ukraine despite rising diplomatic activity to end the war. US President Donald Trump stated that only a few points of disagreement remain to settle. The attacks injured 19 people and caused severe damage to buildings and vehicles in Zaporizhzhia.
Mass drone attack on Zaporizhzhia
Russian forces launched a massive drone assault on the southeastern Ukrainian city last night. Ivan Fedorov, governor of Zaporizhzhia region, announced on Telegram that 19 people suffered injuries. The strikes destroyed shops and damaged 31 apartment blocks and 20 private homes. Eight of the injured received hospital treatment.
“A rescue operation continues at 12 sites,” Fedorov stated in an online video. “We deployed the maximum number of units from the State Emergency Service, national police, and medical teams.”
Online photos show firefighters extinguishing blazes in multi-storey apartments and vehicles on city streets.
Ukrainian air force intercepts drones
Ukraine’s air force reported that it downed 72 of 90 drones and two ballistic missiles Russia fired across the country overnight.
Russian forces control large parts of Zaporizhzhia region and recently gained ground, though the city itself stays under Ukrainian control.
Russian claims of Ukrainian attacks
Evgeny Belytsky, the Russia-appointed head of Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia areas, claimed Ukrainian forces struck a power grid facility. In a Telegram post, Belytsky specified that the attack cut electricity to 40,000 customers in Russian-held cities of the region.
Diplomatic fever intensifies
Diplomatic efforts to halt the war accelerate as US special envoy Steve Witkoff prepares to visit Moscow next week. The Kremlin confirmed the trip this morning.
Trump clarified from his presidential plane en route to Florida for Thanksgiving that his son-in-law Jared Kushner, an informal mediator, might join the meeting.
Meanwhile, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, after talks with Russians in Abu Dhabi, plans to meet Ukrainians.
European leaders temper optimism
European leaders downplayed US optimism. French President Emmanuel Macron said a real chance exists for progress toward a just peace but expressed regret over Russia’s lack of will for a ceasefire after nearly four years of war.
Negotiations focus on a US draft. Its initial version, deemed too favourable to Moscow by Kyiv and European allies, underwent changes after Sunday talks in Geneva between US, Ukrainian, and European delegations.
The latest US plan version proves significantly better for Kyiv, a source with knowledge of the matter told AFP yesterday.
Trump specified that he will meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Russian counterpart only when the agreement reaches final stages or concludes to end the war. Kyiv presses instead for a quick US-Ukraine presidential meeting.
Zelenskyy stated yesterday that he counts on active cooperation with Trump and called Moscow’s continued bombing during peace talks particularly cynical.
A barrage of Russian drones and missiles hit Kyiv Monday night to Tuesday, killing at least seven people.
Territories and guarantees
The latest plan allows Ukraine to keep an army of 800,000 members, up from 600,000 in the first version. “It is not a ceiling issue; this almost matches their current number,” the knowledgeable source said, requesting anonymity.
Some sensitive issues, especially territorial ones, can undergo discussion at presidential level, the source continued.
Trump referred yesterday to long and complex negotiations on border drawing.
Another sensitive matter, security guarantees for Ukraine, undergoes discussion with Europeans, Trump stated. He assured that Europe will engage deeply in this.
Trump also defended his special envoy after Bloomberg revealed a phone call where Steve Witkoff advised a senior Russian official on presenting a conflict settlement plan to Trump.
The US news agency published a transcript of an October conversation between the former businessman and Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s diplomatic advisor. It touched on a future settlement plan inspired by the Gaza war end, and advice on proceeding.
Witkoff mainly suggested a phone call between Trump and Vladimir Putin, where the latter would congratulate the US president on this success.
Trump said he has not heard the conversation but judged it a standard negotiation technique.
Russian advances continue
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated yesterday that Russia expects the US to present the new version of their proposal.
The “coalition of the willing” countries supporting Ukraine held a video conference yesterday.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that the path to settling the Ukraine conflict remains long and difficult. French President Macron called for continued pressure on Russia.
On the battlefield, the Russian army, which controls nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, keeps advancing slowly along the eastern front line. It announced capturing villages in recent days.
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