Russia keeps attacking civilians while the US pressures Ukraine to accept a "peace plan." This week alone, the occupation forces launched more than 60 missiles, over 1,050 attack drones, and nearly 1,000 guided aerial bombs on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. Last night, Russian forces again targeted residential buildings and civilian infrastructure across the country.
A weakened Ukrainian air defense means more mass terror
The loss of US military assistance would first and foremost hit Ukraine’s air defense, including the Patriot systems, the country’s only systems capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. These weapons are precisely what Moscow has been relying on in its most recent attacks, per CNN.
In October, Russia carried out a record-breaking ballistic strike, firing 26 missiles in a single attack. A more recent strike on Kyiv damaged at least 30 buildings and killed seven people.
In his last address to the nation, Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of accelerating all agreements with partners regarding air-defense systems and missiles.
“I thank everyone who is helping protect lives. I thank each person working for peace,” the president stated.
Rescuers just finished cleaning rubble in Ternopil
“Last night, search-and-rescue operations in Ternopil concluded at the site of the missile strike on a residential building. Rescuers worked non-stop for four days,” Zelenskyy said.
The strike killed 33 people, including six children.
“Unfortunately, six more remain missing,” he added.
He thanked all emergency services for their tireless work at the site of this Russian attack.
Zelenskyy also reminded that in frontline regions, Russian forces continue to use FPV drones manually piloted by operators specifically to target civilians.
“In Nikopol, Russians hit with an FPV drone, injuring two children and a woman,” he said.
Ukraine begins work on the “peace plan” in Switzerland, while urgently seeking more air defense
On 23 November, the Ukrainian delegation will begin meetings in Switzerland with representatives from the US, Germany, France, and the UK to work on the so-called peace plan.
“But alongside the diplomatic track, we must do everything possible to strengthen our protection from such treacherous Russian attacks,” Zelenskyy stressed.
Earlier, Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, said Russian forces launched more than 112,000 Shahed drones on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war in 2022.
Shaheds are Iranian-designed kamikaze drones, and much larger than typical commercial or surveillance drones. Most variants, such as the Shahed-136, weigh between 200 and 450 kg and have a wingspan of approximately 2.5 to 3 meters. They are powered by small engines and can carry a warhead of roughly 40-50 kg, designed to explode on impact.
