Russia Fires 172 Drones and 36 Missiles at Ukraine Before Abu Dhabi Talks

Russia launched 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles at more than a dozen Ukrainian regions on Nov. 7, hitting energy facilities, homes and transport links, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said Moscow wants to leave the country without power as winter approaches, days before Ukrainian, Russian and U.S. negotiators are due to meet in Abu Dhabi.

Eurasia Review, drawing on reporting that included RFE/RL, said the attack killed one person in the Dnipropetrovsk region and injured more than a dozen others across Ukraine. Ukraine hit back with long-range strikes on Russian oil and military-industrial sites.

What did Russia hit on Nov. 7?

Ukrainian authorities said electricity transmission lines, residential buildings and key transport infrastructure were targeted overnight. The targets included Kyiv's major bridge over the Dnipro River. Zelenskyy said Russia was trying to disrupt the energy grid by striking substations that connect the country's nuclear power plants.

A kindergarten in Kyiv's Solomyansky district was severely damaged. A resident named Tetyana, who was helping with the cleanup, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service that nothing was left inside the building. At least two children were among the injured nationwide, the report said.

Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed it struck Kyiv. It claimed the bridge was used to move weapons and equipment for Ukraine's armed forces.

How did Ukraine respond?

Ukraine's military said it struck several Russian facilities tied to the oil industry and weapons production. According to the General Staff, missile forces hit the Proton-Electrotex enterprise in the Oryol region, which it said makes components for Iskander-M ballistic missiles and cruise missile systems. Oryol authorities reported damage to warehouses and production buildings owned by commercial firms, plus three private houses.

In the Saratov region, a fire broke out at an oil refinery after a Ukrainian drone attack, Russian and Ukrainian media reported. Governor Roman Busargin said civilian infrastructure was damaged and there were preliminary reports of casualties. Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses downed 411 Ukrainian drones overnight. That figure has not been independently verified.

What is planned in Abu Dhabi?

Trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States are scheduled for Nov. 10-11. President Donald Trump, whose administration has been trying to settle the war since his second term began in January 2025, said he believed a “big, beautiful agreement” could be close.

Russia has resisted a cease-fire, saying fighting will stop only with a comprehensive peace deal that includes its demands. Those include control over Ukrainian territory that its forces have not yet captured on the battlefield. Kyiv argues that more pressure on the Kremlin could force Russia into meaningful negotiations.

What did Zelenskyy ask of Washington?

Zelenskyy urged the United States to increase its support, called for greater unity in Congress on security issues and asked for condemnation of Russian aggression and stronger sanctions on President Vladimir Putin. He said America's determination and consistency are of great importance in bringing peace closer. He also said Ukraine “must not be left alone” as its fifth wartime winter nears.

Why it matters for people in Ukraine

Since 2022, Russia has repeatedly stepped up air strikes on energy and civilian sites in cold weather, the report said, in an effort to pressure Kyiv into accepting its conditions. Attacks this autumn have already left thousands of Ukrainians without heat or electricity. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the latest strikes made the situation in the capital "extremely difficult."

For residents, the damage to power lines, substations and housing bears directly on whether they can keep their homes warm and lit through the coldest months. Damage to the Dnipro bridge and to a popular kindergarten also affects daily commutes and family routines in Kyiv. The Dnipropetrovsk region, where the death was reported, is described as a key eastern hub that shelters thousands of refugees from occupied areas.

What happens next?

The negotiators are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11. The reporting indicates that the fighting and the strikes on both sides show no sign of easing as the talks approach.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by Eurasia Review