Russia and Ukraine exchanged large-scale air and drone attacks on Thursday, November 5, even as US-led peace efforts gained momentum ahead of negotiations scheduled for next week. The renewed violence highlighted the challenges facing Washington’s latest attempt to end the war.
The attacks came as American, Ukrainian and European officials concluded two days of discussions in Brussels on security guarantees and Ukraine’s reconstruction.
US presidential envoy Jared Kushner described the meetings as productive, while negotiators prepared for talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11.
Russia and Ukraine Launch New Drone Attacks
Russian forces launched 128 attack drones against Ukraine overnight, according to Ukrainian officials. Air defenses intercepted or suppressed 105 of them.
The strikes wounded four people in the Dnipropetrovsk and Kyiv regions. Ukrainian authorities also reported damage to infrastructure and a fire following an attack west of the capital.
Meanwhile, Russia said its air defenses had destroyed 496 Ukrainian drones across several regions, Crimea and surrounding waters.
More than 200 drones targeted Russia’s Ryazan region, according to regional governor Pavel Malkov. Falling debris reportedly damaged power lines and caused a fire at an industrial facility.
Russian media subsequently reported a fire at the Ryazan oil refinery.
In Russian-occupied Luhansk, Moscow-backed officials said a Ukrainian attack on a bus killed five people and injured 13 others. The circumstances could not be independently confirmed.
Rescue operations also continued in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region following a devastating Russian airstrike earlier in the week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 43 people had been confirmed dead after bombs struck a former school and nearby shelter in Komyshuvakha, where residents had gathered for humanitarian assistance.
Rescuers found one survivor beneath the rubble, while authorities continued searching for missing people.
US-Led Peace Talks Set for November 10–11
Despite the continuing attacks, diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war are moving forward.
Officials from the United States, Ukraine, Britain, France, Germany and the European Union met at NATO headquarters in Brussels to discuss postwar security arrangements and reconstruction.
Representatives of the World Bank and investment firm BlackRock also participated in discussions about Ukraine’s economic recovery, according to Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov.
Kushner, who is helping lead President Donald Trump’s diplomatic initiative, described the meetings as substantive.
The next round of negotiations will take place in Abu Dhabi, where representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the United States are scheduled to meet on November 10 and 11.
US envoy Steve Witkoff said the discussions would focus on reducing hostilities, humanitarian measures and potential security arrangements after the war.
However, major disagreements remain over territory and the conditions for a lasting settlement.
Russia continues to demand recognition of its territorial claims, while Ukraine has rejected proposals that would legitimize the seizure of its land.
Meanwhile, the European Commission announced a new transfer of 4.4 billion euros, approximately $4.9 billion, to Ukraine as part of a broader financial assistance package.
The funding is intended to support essential government services and defense spending.
As diplomatic preparations continue, both countries remain engaged in intensive military operations.
The upcoming talks could provide another opportunity for negotiations, although neither side has announced a breakthrough toward ending the conflict.
