At least 29 people have been killed and dozens injured after Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone attack across Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure and civilian areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the United States to take note of Moscow’s actions and step up support for Kyiv’s air defence.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said Russia launched 289 attack drones, 17 ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles overnight. The strikes primarily targeted energy infrastructure, including power generation facilities and substations, across several Ukrainian regions.

Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Chernivtsi, Chernihiv and Rivne. Emergency and unscheduled power outages have been reported in several cities and communities.

Zelenskyy said Russian forces also struck a city clinical hospital in Kharkiv, injuring 73 people and damaging its cardiology department, where patients were receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, rescue operations are underway in Komyshuvakha, in the Zaporizhzhia region, where the death toll has risen to 29. Five others have reportedly been injured, while several people remain trapped under the rubble.

The Ukrainian President said rescue teams were continuing their operations as security conditions allowed, warning of the threat of further attacks. He also expressed condolences to the families of those killed.

Zelenskyy warned that the threat of additional Russian missile and drone strikes remained, with air raid alerts continuing across the country.

Highlighting the timing of the attack, he said the strikes took place on the day of the US congressional elections. He urged Washington not to overlook what he described as a signal from Moscow.

Calling for stronger international support, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needed continued assistance to defend its airspace. He maintained that effective air defence support was essential to protect the country from further missile and drone attacks.

The developments come amid renewed diplomatic efforts by the United States to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Monday that Washington would mediate working-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11.

According to Witkoff, the discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and the next steps towards a peace agreement.

He also said US negotiators would meet representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union and NATO in Brussels later this week. The discussions are expected to cover security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe's post-war security framework and economic opportunities to support Ukraine's reconstruction.

Witkoff said Washington intended to build on progress made during previous engagements in Kyiv, Oslo and St. Petersburg, expressing hope for a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement.

As rescue operations continue in Ukraine, the proposed Abu Dhabi talks could mark another diplomatic effort to find a way forward in the ongoing conflict.