The situation 1682 – October 29, 2026

1. Russian forces conducted devastating daytime long-range drone and loitering munition strikes against Ukraine on October 29, killing at least 19 and injuring at least 82.
2. The October 29 strikes are part of Russia’s continued effort to launch daytime strikes to make daily life in Ukraine untenable, inflict significant civilian casualties, and damage Ukraine’s economy.
3. Russian President Vladimir Putin attempted to falsely portray Ukraine as the party responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe in Russian-occupied Oleshky, Kherson Oblast, where the limited ceasefire continues without reported violations.
4. The Kremlin is attempting to drive a wedge between European countries in an attempt to undermine Europe’s negotiating position on the war in Ukraine and exclude European representatives from peace talks so long as they refuse to accept Russia’s demands, including NATO’s rollback to its 1997 borders.
5. The Kremlin is also likely setting conditions that would require Ukraine to make unilateral concessions before Russia agrees to engage in any meaningful peace negotiations in any format.
6. Ukrainian forces recently advanced south of Novopavlivka. Russian forces advanced southeast of Dobropillya.

The full update of the Russian offensive 1682 is available on UNDERSTANDING WAR