Russia-Ukraine war: 29 killed in massive overnight attack as Zelenskyy urges US to step up air defence

As Ukraine waits for another round of diplomatic negotiations, the battlefield has delivered a grim reminder of how far the country remains from peace. At least 29 people were killed in a Russian overnight assault involving hundreds of drones and missiles, while hospitals and energy infrastructure across the country came under attack.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the United States not to ignore the scale of the strikes, calling for stronger air defence support as Washington prepares to bring Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table.

Russia launches 365 aerial weapons in overnight attack across Ukraine

In a post on X on Tuesday, November 3, Zelenskyy said Russia had launched 289 attack drones, 17 ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles during the night. The targets included energy infrastructure, power generation facilities and substations across nine regions, including Odesa, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Chernivtsi, Chernihiv and Rivne.

The Ukrainian Air Force said its defences had shot down or suppressed 309 aerial targets, including 257 drones, three ballistic missiles and 49 cruise missiles, according to preliminary figures reported by Interfax-Ukraine. However, strikes were recorded at 23 locations, and the attack was still under way in the morning.

The barrage also triggered emergency power cuts in several cities and communities, adding to the pressure on Ukraine's energy system as the country heads into winter.

Kharkiv hospital struck as death toll rises to 29 in Zaporizhzhia

The human toll was particularly severe in two locations. Zelenskyy said a city clinical hospital in Kharkiv had been directly struck, injuring 73 people and damaging its cardiology department, where patients were receiving treatment.

In Komyshuvakha, in the Zaporizhzhia region, rescue workers were searching through rubble after an attack that killed 29 people and injured five, according to the Ukrainian President. Several people were still believed to be trapped.

The Associated Press reported that 48 people remained missing after the strike in the area, where a school distributing humanitarian aid and a nearby shelter were hit. Rescue teams were also working under the threat of further Russian strikes.

Zelenskyy warned of possible follow-up attacks, saying rescue operations would continue only as far as the security situation permitted. Such attacks, often described as double-tap strikes, can hit a location again after first responders arrive.

Zelenskyy asks Washington to notice Russia's 'signal' on US election day

The timing of the assault was central to Zelenskyy's appeal. With the US congressional elections taking place on Tuesday, he argued that Moscow was sending a message to Washington. "The Russians believe that America will not notice this signal from them. But such terror must be noticed and stopped," he said.

He urged the US to help Ukraine defend its skies, warning that Russia would not stop its missile attacks without effective air defence. Zelenskyy also called for an honest and reliable process to establish peace.

US plans Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11

The attack comes just days before a new diplomatic effort led by US President Donald Trump. US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced that Washington would mediate working-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11.

In a statement on X, Witkoff said the discussions would cover post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and the next steps towards a peace agreement. US negotiators are also expected to meet representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union and NATO in Brussels this week to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe's future security framework and reconstruction.

Zelenskyy's appeal for stronger air defences highlights the challenge facing these negotiations: the search for a settlement is moving forward, but attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure continue. Whether the Abu Dhabi discussions can bridge the gap between the two sides remains uncertain.

(With inputs from ANI)