Five European Ministers Meet in Paris While Drone Strikes Hit Trains in Russia

Defense ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom convened in Paris on Monday to discuss further aid for Ukraine. French officials confirmed that the five nations plan to address the war in the Middle East and the state of European defense capabilities. This gathering marks the second meeting for this specific group, following a session in Berlin in June where the countries pledged continued support to Kyiv.

Fighting intensified on both fronts while the ministers negotiated. In southeastern Ukraine, a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia injured four people, according to regional Governor Mykhailo Semikin. Ukraine's emergency service reported that two additional individuals were hurt in strikes on the Chernihiv region. Russian forces also targeted energy infrastructure, hitting a power station and warehouse in Kharkiv, a power station in Khmelnytskyi, and port facilities in Chornomorsk.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that it also attacked a cargo vessel near Odesa, claiming the ship had military purposes. On the Russian side, a Ukrainian drone strike on Voronezh resulted in two deaths and 17 injuries. Regional Governor Alexander Gusev said many of the wounded were aboard a commuter train in a suburb when debris struck the vehicle.

"A significant number of the injured, including two seriously wounded, were on a train that was moving in the left-bank suburb of Voronezh," Gusev said on Telegram. He noted that the attack sparked fires at several industrial businesses, a business center, and a residential building, though industrial damage was limited.

The conflict has entered its fifth year with escalating attacks on energy and transport infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that Ukraine would cease hitting Russian oil refineries only if Moscow stops striking Ukraine's power grid. He added that if attacks on the grid continue, the United States should allow Starshield to be used over Russia or supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles.

Ukraine confirmed on Saturday that the Starlink satellite system and its military variant, Starshield, are fully operational again after more than a week of restrictions. Diplomatic efforts continue separately, with negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States expected to meet in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November.