The Storyup to 5 Nov
Russia-Ukraine war enters 1,700th-plus day as US-mediated talks near
Russia's full-scale war on Ukraine is in its fifth year, with drones turning the front line into a "kill zone" and both sides moving operations underground. In late October, a ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump allowed hundreds to evacuate the city of Oleshky, and she is set to host Russian and Ukrainian officials. On November 3, US envoy Witkoff said the US would mediate talks in Abu Dhabi the following week, and Zelensky hoped they could lead to a meeting with Putin. Russia meanwhile launched its biggest attack this year on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and struck an aid center, killing at least 40 people. Democrats won control of Congress in the US midterms, prompting debate over Trump's Ukraine policy.
8 sources
- Drones make the Russia-Ukraine war front line a ‘kill zone’ — NPR
- Ukraine and Russia eye new peace talks — and Melania Trump's mission — but steep obstacles remain — AP News
- Kyiv says Starlink restored as attacks in Ukraine and Russia continue — Al Jazeera
- Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 24, 2026 — Institute for the Study of War
- Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv targets Russian-occupied Crimea as UK and France conduct joint military exercise — The Guardian
- Hundreds evacuate Ukrainian city of Oleshky under Melania Trump-brokered ceasefire — CNN
- Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv says air raid warning app likely hacked after users receive false alerts — The Guardian
- Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 2, 2026 — Institute for the Study of War