War in Ukraine: New strikes on energy infrastructure and a campaign against Italy
The essentials of Saturday November 7, 2026, on the 1,718th day of the conflict, according to 20 Minutes
Quick Look
- Russia carried out massive strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure on the night of November 6-7, 2026, using 36 ballistic missiles and 172 drones, causing outages in five regions.
- Zelensky accuses Moscow of using North Korean KN-23 missiles and preparing the ground ahead of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The war in Ukraine is on its 1,718th day. Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, particularly in the capital, raising fears of massive cuts in electricity, heating and water in the middle of winter. Trilateral negotiations between kyiv, Washington and Moscow are planned in Abu Dhabi.
Did you miss the latest events on the war in Ukraine? 20 Minutes takes stock for you every evening. Here is the gist of this Saturday, November 7, 2026, on the 1,718th day of the conflict.
Fact of the day
New “massive” Russian strikes targeted energy infrastructure in Ukraine during the night from Friday to Saturday. According to the Ukrainian military, Russia struck the country with 36 ballistic missiles and 172 drones, leading to power outages in five regions (Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, kyiv, Zhytomyr and Kharkiv).
Recent Russian strikes have already caused significant damage to the energy sector and infrastructure, particularly in the capital, and Ukraine fears new massive cuts in electricity, heating and water in the middle of winter, like last year. According to the Ukrainian president, Moscow notably used KN-23 ballistic missiles, “manufactured and delivered by North Korea”.
“By intensifying, at this very moment, its attacks against Ukraine and our infrastructure, Russia seeks […] to prepare the ground to put pressure on the positions of Ukraine and those of its partners”, denounced the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a message on his account negotiations currently at a standstill since the outbreak of war in the Middle East in February.
Today's statement
“We do not accept that we consider peace with territorial concessions in Ukraine, without asking the populations concerned if they agree to be on this side of the border or the other. »
Often criticized for having questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or denouncing the deep shooting of the Ukrainians, Jean-Luc Mélenchon raised this Saturday the sensitive issue of Donbass, a region in eastern Ukraine largely occupied by the Russians, during his presidential campaign meeting at Le Bourget.
The trend
The head of Italian diplomacy, Antonio Tajani, said this Saturday that he was being targeted by “cybercriminals” who are disseminating his personal data on the “dark web”, due to Italian support for kyiv. “They also involve my family and are willing to pay to get more details about me and my loved ones. My reaction is very simple: I will not allow myself to be intimidated under any circumstances,” he commented on Twitter.
“Our position on Ukraine is the political reason why I am in their crosshairs: defending the freedom of a sovereign state, taking a clear position in favor of democracy and the independence of a nation, that is what is dangerous in the eyes of these criminal entities,” defended Antonio Tajani. The Italian government offers strong support to kyiv, both humanitarian and military.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi between kyiv, Washington and Moscow will attempt to relaunch the negotiation process currently at a standstill.
Likely · Within days
Ukraine will suffer new massive power, heating and water cuts in the middle of winter.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi lead to a ceasefire?
- How extensive will the damage be to Ukraine's energy infrastructure?
- What will be the response of Italy and its partners to the cyberattacks targeting Antonio Tajani?
