Russia Launches Massive Strikes Ahead of Abu Dhabi Peace Talks
Russia conducted one of the war's largest aerial onslaughts against Ukraine just as the United States brokered peace negotiations scheduled for November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi.
Russian forces launched a massive wave of aerial strikes across Ukraine on November 2 and 3, utilizing 289 drones, 17 ballistic missiles, and 59 cruise missiles. The onslaught targeted energy infrastructure, hospitals, and humanitarian sites, knocking out three of five DTEK thermal power plants and causing widespread outages in Kyiv and six other regions. A devastating double-tap strike on a former school used as an aid distribution center in Komyshuvakha killed between 29 and 33 civilians, while attacks on hospitals in Kharkiv and a hospice in Dnipro wounded scores of patients.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the attacks as "terror" and a signal of Russian aggression timed to coincide with U.S. congressional elections. The strikes followed the expiration of a rare six-day humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky, which was brokered by First Lady Melania Trump. While the Kremlin confirmed it will participate in U.S.-mediated working-level peace talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated he has seen no sign that Russia is seriously willing to engage in ceasefire negotiations.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced that the upcoming talks will focus on de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and post-war security arrangements. Simultaneously, the United States is coordinating with NATO, the European Commission, and allies in Brussels to discuss security guarantees and a prosperity plan for Ukraine. In response to the escalating violence, France and the United Kingdom announced the deployment of 2,800 European troops to Poland for military exercises.
