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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Two men look at a building damaged by an overnight Russian strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, on Nov. 3, 2026. (Mykola Miakshykov/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Kyiv faces emergency power cuts, widespread water outages after Russia’s largest attack on energy infrastructure this year. The widespread power and water outages in Kyiv follow Russia’s largest mass attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this year, which targeted substations, transmission systems, and power plants across the country.
Russia hits substation critical for nuclear power plant in biggest mass attack on Ukraine’s energy this year. Energy officials recorded one of the largest waves of Russian ballistic missiles targeting critical infrastructure, with Russia also launching cruise missiles, jet-powered drones, and propeller-powered drones, Vitalii Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrenergo, the country’s state grid operator, told the Kyiv Independent.
Drone strikes warehouse in southern Russia, online retailer Ozon claims. A drone struck a logistics center belonging to Russian online retail giant Ozon in southern Russia’s Adygea Republic overnight on Nov. 4, the company claimed in a press release.
Witkoff reveals location, date for new trilateral peace deal negotiations. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Nov. 3 that new rounds of trilateral peace negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. will be held on Nov. 10 in Abu Dhabi.
Ukraine’s ombudsman, sanctioned Russian commissioner invited to Melania Trump’s White House event, source says. The White House announced on Nov. 3 that representatives from Ukraine and Russia would join the first lady for her remarks on the humanitarian operation in Oleshky.
Former deputy defense minister appointed to lead Ukraine’s state-run defense giant. Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, a former first deputy defense minister, has been appointed to lead Ukroboronprom, Ukraine’s largest state-owned defense company, according to a Nov. 3 statement.
Ukraine charges Zelensky’s former press secretary Iuliia Mendel with treason.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor General’s Office accused Iuliia Mendel of conducting “information and subversive activities against Ukraine.”
Civil unrest near Kyiv exposes deeper social tensions but ‘outside influence’ played a role, Budanov says. Presidential Office head Kyrylo Budanov said on Nov. 3 that the incident was “not without outside influence.”
Read our exclusives
Survival is ‘just a bonus’ — Inside one of the Ukrainian army’s most dangerous jobs
The reconnaissance soldiers on the ground combine pieces of information left behind by Russian forces in phones, maps, and radio to help identify enemy units and understand how best to counter Russian infiltration efforts, he said.
Photo: Lisa Bukreyeva/The Kyiv Independent
What really happened during the clash at a National Guard facility near Kyiv?
But as more details emerged about the series of events and the key people involved in triggering the violence, suspicion has since grown that the clash was a product, at least in part, of a planned provocation and information operation working in Russia’s interest.
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Photo: Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent_
The US and Europe have a narrow window to change Russia’s war trajectory.
Ukraine has regained the operational initiative on most key battlefield directions and has been contesting Russia’s strategic initiative since late 2025. It has slowed Russian battlefield advances to a footpace in 2026 and has grown the already staggering human cost of the Russian advance.
Photo: Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images
Human costs of war
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 38, injure 167, as Russia hits Dnipro hospitals in morning missile strike. The Air Force said Russia launched an unspecified number of ballistic missiles, including the Iskander-M, North Korean KN-23, and Zircon types, in addition to 59 cruise missiles and 289 attack drones against Ukraine overnight, mostly targeting Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Vinnytsia oblasts.
‘Exceptionally horrific strike’ — Russian bombs hit school used as humanitarian aid center in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, killing 33. More than 50 people may still be trapped under the rubble, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference on Nov. 3.
Russian missile attack hits Kharkiv medical facility, injuring 73. Terekhov said approximately 200 patients would be evacuated to other medical facilities as emergency services worked at the scene.
International response
Zelensky arrives in Berlin for meeting with German Chancellor on air defense, energy sector. “Important meetings lie ahead, as well as strengthening our air defense and supporting our energy sector. This will be the priority of today’s talks,” said Zelensky on social media upon arriving in Germany.
Ukraine, allies to coordinate peace efforts ahead of planned talks with Russia.
The European Commission will host talks on Ukraine in Brussels on Nov. 4, bringing together representatives from the U.S., Ukraine, NATO, and several European countries.
Norway deploys additional air defense sensors, troops near Russia border. “The experience from Ukraine shows how important it is to have a good overview and receive early warning. These are sensors that will strengthen our ability to detect drones in Finnmark,” Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik said.
In other news
Canada to block Russian team from World Junior Hockey Championship, Carney says. The Canadian government said it would use its authority under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering Canada to compete under their national symbols.
Top European nations vow to boycott Ice Hockey World Championship if Russia returns. “We are currently gathering as many countries as possible to form a common front to tell the IIHF that none of us will play against Russia in this situation,” said Heikki Hietanen, chairman of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association.
New Jersey governor warns importing Russian diesel ‘will be met with harsh penalties’ amid Trump deal. “Any effort to profit from the illegal trade in Russian fuel will be met with harsh penalties. I urge you to turn away any tanker that seeks to use your facilities in furtherance of such unlawful activity,” New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill wrote to ports in the state.
Ukrainian-born US lawmaker Victoria Spartz loses congressional seat to Democrat. In April 2025, Spartz said Ukraine should cede territory to Russia and called for Zelensky’s resignation.
Thinking about investing in Ukraine and looking for practical insights?
This series of guides, created by the Kyiv Independent in collaboration with KPMG Ukraine Gateway, covers the basics you need to know when considering or starting an investment.
These guides offer clear advice on how to invest in Ukraine by covering key sectors and business opportunities and breaking down topics like capital controls, financing limits, foreign investment, and war-related risk management.
No series of business guides can ever be comprehensive, so think of these as a useful roadmap for starting your journey when investing in Ukraine.
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