Ahead of Peace Talks, Russia Launches Massive Airstrikes on Ukraine... Zelenskyy: "Europe Must Be at the Negotiating Table"

289 Drones and 76 Missiles Deployed
33 Killed at Aid Distribution Center
U.S.-Mediated Russia-Ukraine Talks Set for Nov. 10-11

With U.S.-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine about a week away, Russia launched a massive airstrike on Nov. 3 (local time). The bombing killed at least 33 people at a Ukrainian aid distribution center alone. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the Russian airstrikes and urged Europe to take part in the peace talks.

Russia launches nationwide airstrikes, targeting energy facilities

A Russian airstrike destroyed an underground school building in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, southern Ukraine, on the 3rd (local time). Photo by AP-Yonhap News

According to the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and other news outlets, Russian forces launched large-scale airstrikes targeting energy facilities, including power plants and substations across Ukraine, from the night of Nov. 2 into the early hours of Nov. 3. Ukrainian authorities said Russia deployed 289 drones, 17 ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles.

The airstrikes triggered emergency power outages in several regions, including the capital, Kyiv. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private power producer, said three of its five thermal power plants had halted operations. In Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, a medical facility was attacked, and about 200 patients were transferred to other hospitals.

On Nov. 2, a school building in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, in the south, which was being used as an aid distribution center, was hit by a Russian airstrike. President Zelenskyy said Russian forces attacked the facility, killing at least 33 people and leaving five rescued, while more than 50 people may still be trapped under the rubble.

President Zelenskyy claimed that Russian forces first attacked the school building and then bombed the site again after residents had evacuated there. He condemned the attack, calling it "one of the largest massacres Russia has committed in this war," and saying, "Russia could not have been unaware that residents came here every week to receive humanitarian aid." Local rescue authorities said rescue operations were halted several times as Russian drone attacks continued.

Zelenskyy discusses peace negotiation plan with Chancellor Merz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enter a press conference venue in Berlin, Germany, on the 3rd (local time). AP-Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Nov. 3 to discuss a plan for peace negotiations. The United States, Russia and Ukraine are set to hold trilateral working-level talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Nov. 10-11.

At a press conference, President Zelenskyy said the talks would address security guarantees for Ukraine, postwar reconstruction, a ceasefire covering energy facilities and a ceasefire in the Black Sea. Saying he hoped the working-level talks would lead to a leaders' summit, he stressed, "There can be no lasting peace if Europe is not at the negotiating table."

Chancellor Merz also questioned Russia's willingness to negotiate. "We have yet to see any sign that Russia is ready to engage in serious negotiations for a ceasefire," he said, urging Russia to change its stance. Chancellor Merz also said the Ukraine issue should be a priority at the Group of 20 (G20) summit next month and stressed that President Zelenskyy should take part in the discussions. U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit.

Before the Abu Dhabi talks, Ukraine will hold a high-level meeting with the United States and the European Union (EU) in Brussels, Belgium, on Nov. 4. Representatives from France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the World Bank (WB), are also expected to attend and discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and economic support for postwar reconstruction. U.S. presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the plan for trilateral working-level talks on Nov. 2, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also confirmed that the meeting would take place.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.