Russia strikes Kyiv with ballistic missiles as Ukraine launches drones toward Moscow
Russia and Ukraine exchanged long-range strikes on October 22, with ballistic missiles hitting Kyiv and drones launched toward Moscow.
Event / Geopolitics
Russia-Ukraine War
Ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine involving military operations, sanctions, diplomatic negotiations, and international support.
7 reported locations
Daily activity
145 articles14 articles
2026-09-04 to 2026-10-24 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 4 Sept, 14:16 UTC
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What happened
US officials deny withholding early warnings of Russian attacks
US officials denied that they had cut off early-warning intelligence on Russian attacks to Ukraine.
Ukraine says it will make greater use of Finnish satellite capabilities
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, Ukraine said it would make greater use of Finland's satellite capabilities.
Trump says the US was not responsible for the Starlink slowdown
On October 16, 2026, Trump said that the slowdown was not caused by the US administration or by Musk. He said the Starlink system was the same as it always had been.
Kyiv reported missing Russian ballistic missile early-warning intelligence
In the same period, Ukrainian officials said Kyiv had not received the usual intelligence data on Russian ballistic missile strikes against its major cities.
Trump says Musk restored Ukraine's full Starlink access
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, US President Donald Trump said that Elon Musk had restored Ukraine's full access to Starlink. Trump declined to say whether he had asked Musk to do so, stating: 'Bottom line, he put it back.'
Russia strikes Kyiv with ballistic missiles on October 22
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, Russia pounded Kyiv with ballistic missiles.
Trump says he does not know who caused the Ukraine Starlink slowdown
On October 19, 2026, Trump said he did not know who was responsible for the Starlink slowdown in Ukraine but would like to find out.
Trump administration announces deal to buy Russian diesel and waives new Moscow sanctions
The Trump administration announced a deal to buy Russian diesel and waived new sanctions on Moscow.
Musk says Starshield limits are set by US government and president
In an October 14, 2026 post on X, Musk stated that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government, with any speed or usage limits decided by the US military and ultimately the US president. He stated that Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX, limited to civilian or defensive use.
Kremlin says Putin agreed to resume three-way peace talks next month
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to resume three-way talks on a peace deal next month.
Ukraine sends hundreds of drones toward Moscow on October 22
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, Ukraine sent hundreds of drones toward Moscow as both sides maintained attacks.
Rubio says Ukraine's Starlink access is decided by SpaceX and Musk
On October 21, 2026, during a visit to India, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said decisions on Ukraine's Starlink access rest with SpaceX and Musk, not the White House. He said Starlink is governed by a private commercial contract that sets permitted uses and speeds.
Trump posts that Zelensky does not want to end the war
On October 18, 2026, Trump posted on social media that Zelensky 'doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did,' and urged Ukrainians to replace him as leader.
Zelensky said US intelligence sharing with Ukraine was restored by October 20
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said US intelligence flows to Ukraine had been restored by Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Ukrainian drone speeds limited by Starshield and Starlink restrictions
In the week before October 23, 2026, Ukrainian drone pilots found their unmanned aerial vehicles limited to about half their previous speeds. The limits affected mid-range operations against Russian logistics, munitions depots and command-and-control centers up to 125 miles from the front line.
Russia launched full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The war has continued since, and Trump had promised to end it when he took office.
Ukrainian forces use Starlink for communications and data transfers
Ukrainian forces primarily use the general Starlink network for communications and data transfers rather than for guiding battlefield strikes. The services are integrated into Ukraine's military systems, and Starlink is the largest satellite constellation in orbit.
Witkoff visits Putin in St. Petersburg and praises him as a humanitarian
Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff visited Putin in St. Petersburg shortly before the Kremlin announced the agreement to resume talks. Witkoff praised Putin as a humanitarian.
Ukrainian presidential adviser says Starlink speed limits have not been lifted
On October 23, 2026, Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said Ukraine had not observed any lifting of Starlink restrictions. He said isolated instances of speeds above the limit were likely due to SpaceX algorithms or usage conditions. Ukrainian officials say Starshield speeds remain capped above 160 km/h (100 mph).
Starshield is a military-grade Starlink variant and Ukraine does not have access to it
Starshield is a military-grade version of Starlink developed for the Pentagon under a US military contract. Ukraine has requested access to Starshield for deep strikes inside Russia but did not have access as of October 2026.
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2 alternative perspectives
Trump Urges Kyiv to Stop Refinery Attacks, Says Zelensky Opposes Ending War
Trump says Zelensky does not want to end the war and tells Kyiv to stop refinery attacks.
Putin agrees to resume three-way talks as Witkoff meets him in Russia
Putin reportedly agreed to resume three-way peace talks next month after meeting envoy Steve Witkoff.
Kyiv says missile early warnings were missing; US officials deny withholding them
Kyiv and US officials dispute whether early warnings of Russian missile attacks were withheld from Ukraine.
Officials dispute who controls Ukraine's restricted Starlink and Starshield access
Officials give conflicting accounts of who controls Starshield and Starlink limits affecting Ukrainian drones and communications.
Russia and Ukraine Have Been at War Since February 2022
Russia and Ukraine have been at war since February 2022, forming the backdrop for current developments.
Russian strikes cut power to about half a million people in Ukraine
Russian strikes reportedly cut power to about half a million people in Ukraine, based on a single source.
Temporary Oleshky ceasefire set to allow aid and evacuations for remaining residents
A temporary Oleshky ceasefire will enable staged aid and evacuations for about 2,000 remaining residents.
Trump says Ukraine should have new leader, US received nothing
Trump calls for new Ukrainian leadership and says the US gained nothing from Ukraine support.
Oleshky ceasefire set to begin October 29 for humanitarian access
A localized Oleshky ceasefire starting October 29 aims to enable aid delivery and civilian evacuation.
Zelenskyy says Starlink curbs remain; Trump says no Musk talks
Zelenskyy says Starlink restrictions remain in place, while Trump says he has not discussed them with Musk.
Trilateral talks may resume in November after Witkoff's Moscow and Norway meetings
Putin agreed in principle to resume trilateral talks, with Zelenskyy citing a planned meeting in early November.