In a week marked by renewed violence and diplomatic maneuvering, Russia’s war on Ukraine has entered yet another volatile chapter. On November 21, 2025, a Russian glide bomb struck a residential district in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, killing five people and injuring ten others, including a teenage girl. The attack, which damaged high-rise apartment blocks for the third time since the conflict began and wrecked a local market, underscored the relentless targeting of civilian areas by Moscow’s forces. According to the regional military administration head Ivan Fedorov, the overnight assault was just the latest in a string of incidents that have left Ukrainian cities battered and their residents in mourning.
Only hours earlier, a Russian drone attack on the southern city of Odesa injured five more people, including a 16-year-old boy. These assaults came on the heels of a devastating barrage in Ternopil, in western Ukraine, where Russian drones and missiles killed at least 31 people, including six children, and injured 94 others, with 13 people still unaccounted for after the top floors of apartment blocks were crushed and fires broke out, as reported by Ukrainian emergency services.
As these attacks unfolded, the diplomatic landscape was shifting. The United States sent Ukraine a draft plan for ending the war, nearly four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed he was prepared to discuss the proposal with U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming days. As reported by the Financial Times and Axios, the plan—negotiated by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Moscow’s representative Kirill Dmitriyev—demands major concessions from Ukraine, including the evacuation of embattled regions such as Donetsk and Luhansk and acceptance of restrictions on armaments. Ukrainian officials confirmed to AFP that they had received the proposal and were weighing their response.
President Zelenskyy, speaking after talks in Ankara, emphasized the vital role of the United States in any peace process, stating, "Only President Trump and the USA have enough power to bring this war to an end." He added, "Since the beginning of this year, we in Ukraine have supported all decisive steps and the leadership of President Trump, every strong and just proposal to end this war." Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Turkey’s continued willingness to host talks, highlighting the importance of international mediation efforts.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin showed no signs of backing down. During a visit to a command center, he reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to its war aims, declaring, "We have our common tasks, our goals. The most important thing is to achieve the goals of the special military operation at all costs," according to Kremlin sources. Putin was joined by Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and commanders of the Russian Western and Southern Army Groups, and was briefed on the advance of Russian troops. Despite the U.S. peace proposal, Putin gave no indication of compromise, maintaining a hardline stance amid ongoing offensives.
The conflict’s human cost continues to mount. Millions of Ukrainians remain displaced, with over six million living abroad and many more internally displaced, according to the UN. On the ground, the Ukrainian military faces relentless pressure. Fierce fighting has been reported in Pokrovsk, where Russian forces have combined waves of infantry assaults with artillery and glide bomb strikes. The Ukrainian air force, after the Ternopil attack, identified the weapon used as a Ch-101 cruise missile, noting that components from countries such as the USA, China, Taiwan, Germany, and the Netherlands had been found in the debris—highlighting ongoing challenges with sanctions evasion.
Western support for Ukraine remains robust but measured. NATO countries continue to supply weapons, aid, and air defense systems, yet have consistently refused direct military involvement. Spain recently pledged over 800 million euros in new aid, with 615 million earmarked for a military support package. France and Sweden have signed letters of intent for Ukraine to purchase up to 250 modern fighter jets, though financing for these acquisitions remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal met with a U.S. military delegation, including Undersecretary of Defense Daniel Driscoll, to discuss military cooperation and showcase new Ukrainian drone technologies.
Elsewhere, the war’s ripple effects are being felt across Europe. In Poland, the government closed Russia’s last consulate in Gdansk following an explosives attack on a railroad line used for aid deliveries to Ukraine. Polish authorities accused Russian secret services of orchestrating the sabotage, allegedly carried out by two Ukrainian citizens with ties to Russian intelligence. Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that these actions were meant to sow chaos and anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland. Lithuania, too, has reported a network of 16 individuals suspected of planning and organizing terrorist attacks across Europe, with links to Russian military intelligence.
Tensions have also flared between Russia and the United Kingdom. After the Russian spy ship "Jantar" was spotted off the British coast, London issued a stern warning. Defense Minister John Healey stated, "We see you. We know what you are doing," after lasers were directed at pilots of British reconnaissance aircraft by the ship. The UK remains vigilant, wary of threats to its underwater infrastructure and recalling past incidents involving Russian vessels.
Meanwhile, Russia’s parliament has imposed harsher taxes on so-called "foreign agents," a label used to stigmatize opposition figures and dissidents. The new legislation increases their tax rate to 30 percent and bars them from participating in elections, holding state jobs, or receiving certain types of income. This move is seen by many as part of a broader crackdown on dissent within Russia.
Back in Ukraine, a corruption scandal has rocked the government. Parliament dismissed Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk after revelations of bribery involving the state nuclear company Energoatom. Former President Petro Poroshenko has called for the entire cabinet to resign, while anti-corruption authorities announced further investigations, particularly in the arms sector. President Zelenskyy has pledged to keep the peace process moving forward, traveling to Istanbul to resume negotiations and work toward prisoner exchanges with Russia.
Despite the mounting challenges, Ukraine’s resolve remains unshaken. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha appealed for increased support, particularly for drone production, arguing that only by raising the cost of war for Russia can peace be achieved. As the world watches, the fate of Ukraine—and the broader security of Europe—hangs in the balance, shaped by the interplay of battlefield realities, diplomatic efforts, and the enduring resilience of those caught in the crossfire.
With violence continuing and diplomatic efforts at a delicate crossroads, the coming days may prove pivotal in determining whether the war takes a new turn or continues its grinding path.
