Russia Unleashes Ballistic Missiles After Shooting Down 200 Ukrainian Drones

Russia intensified its war against Ukraine on Thursday, October 29, as a drone strike killed at least 13 people at Dnipro railway station. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the US and Europe to maintain sanctions, while Moscow reported intercepting 1,214 Ukrainian drones overnight, a claim that could not be independently verified.

The Russian drone hit a crowded platform where passenger trains were standing. Ukraine said three jet-powered drones were intercepted, but a fourth struck the station. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack. Separate strikes reportedly killed two teenage girls in Chernihiv and two people in Kremenchuk, while several others were injured.

Russia reportedly unleashed ballistic missiles after shooting down around 200 Ukrainian drones, as Moscow separately claimed to have intercepted 1,214 Ukrainian drones overnight on October 29, including 613 targeting the Moscow region. The escalating aerial warfare comes as Russia continues striking Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, while Kyiv launches long-range drone attacks inside Russia. With winter approaching, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Western allies to supply more air-defence systems as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin called Elon Musk a “genius” as Russia began developing a satellite internet network to rival SpaceX’s Starlink. Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev said Russia had launched more than 30 satellites, compared with thousands operated by Starlink. Putin said Moscow must expand its programme independently.

The Trump administration and the Kremlin are also discussing lifting US sanctions on Russia’s state-owned Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), according to a Kremlin aide. The fund’s chief, Kirill Dmitriev, is pursuing the discussions.

Imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion, the sanctions targeted a fund the Biden administration described as a “slush fund” for Putin and his inner circle. The talks follow Trump’s decision to temporarily ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports for six months. While Trump has presented concessions as a way to keep Moscow engaged in peace negotiations, Zelenskyy has warned that sanctions relief could strengthen Russia’s war effort.

Meanwhile, a local ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky was entering its third day, raising hopes of evacuating residents facing shortages of food, water and medicine.