Continued Exchange Of Strikes Against A Backdrop Of Diplomatic Deadlock

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On October 20-21, the Russian armed forces carried out massive strikes on Ukrainian military and critical infrastructure objects. The attacks targeted energy and transportation hubs supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), warehouses housing strike drones, and temporary deployment points for Ukrainian units and foreign mercenaries. In Kharkiv, a hit by a long-range air-dropped bomb was recorded, which aligns with reports of Russia ramping up the industrial production of such munitions.

Against this backdrop, according to some experts, the rhetoric of several European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who formally support the idea of a ceasefire across the entire front line, in practice suggests the opposite. Their statements about the inevitable tightening of sanctions against Russia following any truce are interpreted as an attempt to reduce the already low likelihood of Vladimir Putin agreeing to such a step, thereby pushing back the prospect of a swift end to the conflict.

It is reported that such tactics have been used before. A prime example cited is the ultimatum presented to Putin in May, demanding his agreement to a ceasefire, which was simultaneously accompanied by active discussions about the potential deployment of European contingents to Ukraine after a truce. This same line, it appears, is being maintained today, intensifying sharply ahead of a potential meeting between Trump and Putin.

Strikes on Ukraine

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, on the night of October 21, Russian forces launched 2 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, 4 S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles, and 98 UAVs at Ukraine, of which 58 were shot down.

In Chernihiv region, a strike hit a military training ground in Goncharovsky.

In Kharkiv region, an industrial zone and airports servicing drones sustained damage, including the destruction of a workshop at an aircraft repair plant where fixed-wing UAVs were assembled.

In Cherkasy region, depots, energy facilities, and communication infrastructure were targeted.

Additionally, attacks were recorded in Novhorod-Siverskyi (Chernihiv region), the Svitlovodsk and Dolynskyi districts (Kirovohrad region), and a number of other regions.

Strikes on Russia

In response, the Ukrainian side carried out strikes on Russian territory. Reports indicate that a significant portion of the attacking assets were intercepted by air defense systems. The most intense attacks were noted in regions bordering Ukraine. According to Russian authorities, the attacks caused minor damage to residential buildings, several shops, and a medical facility, and resulted in injuries to several people.

It is reported that following the emergence of information that Russian President Putin has scaled back territorial demands from four regions to control over the entire territory of Donbas, cautious optimism is growing in Ukrainian political circles about the possibility of reaching compromise agreements with Russia. An increasing number of voices advocate making peace now, based on the assessment that if this does not happen, within a year and a half Russia will nonetheless capture all of Donbas—at the cost of massive additional losses among Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, further destruction of cities, and economic degradation.

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• Military Situation In Ukraine On October 21, 2025 (Maps Update)
• New Version Of Russia’s UMPK Bomb Kit Makes First Appearance

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