Key developments on Oct. 20:

• Ukrainian strikes on Yandex data centers disrupt Russian court hearings, media reports
• Ukraine's HUR claims 108 Russian soldiers killed, 29 captured in Sumy Oblast operation
• Power outages in half of Ukraine's oblasts after Russian assault on power plants
• Fire at oil

President Volodymyr Zelensky has spent much of the past two years trying to win over Donald Trump. Flattery, constant meetings, and carefully calibrated concessions have become hallmarks of his dealings with the U.S. president.

But the strategy has failed, prompting Zelensky to change course and adopt a more confrontational

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian officials in St. Petersburg on Oct. 21 to discuss European and U.S. proposals for peace in Ukraine, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said.

According to the SBU, Sharlai heads the department responsible for religious organizations within Russia's occupation administration in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. He also served as Russian President Vladimir Putin's trusted representative in occupied Melitopol during Russia's 2024 presidential election.

This year, the Kremlin has significantly increased its recruitment of foreigners into its army, with 16,168 individuals already identified in the first nine months of 2026, according to Ukraine.

From the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Russian forces have inflicted countless atrocities against Ukraine.

At the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while in my hometown of Kyiv, I wrote an essay in German for a German website titled "Russia Dehumanizes the World."

The Ukrainian translation of this text, published under the title "The Dehumanization of

According to HUR's Active Operations Department, the operation was carried out by its Group 10 special forces unit, which reportedly thwarted Russian offensive plans and prevented Russian troops from cutting off Ukrainian logistical routes in the region.

"I think the important takeaway for you is that there has not been some deliberate political directive to go out and harm Ukraine," Rubio said, acknowledging possible delays in interceptor shipments.

Lithuania said the drone entered its airspace from the Polish side before exploding on its territory on Oct. 18. Ukraine linked the incident to Russian jamming.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said Russia struck the operating room of the Strazheska Institute of the National Academy of Medical Sciences in Kyiv, injuring one patient.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb are also taking part in the talks.

Ukraine has increasingly used long-range strikes and strikes against data centers to weaken Russia's ability to sustain the war.

"When we see Russia rebuilding its Arctic military footprint, pursuing hybrid strategies against its neighbors, and reshaping the security of the Arctic, it impacts the EU as a whole," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Sikorski said that the shortage of missiles had worsened after the attacks on Iran.

"This measure was taken because ​we judged it necessary to facilitate an amicable resolution of the ‌issue ⁠and restore trust between the two countries," said Park Doo-soon, a spokesperson for South Korea's Foreign Ministry, according to Yonhap.

Colleagues asked their Hungarian counterparts to explain their position, but they did not, one diplomat said.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Zelensky, saying Ukraine should consider finding someone else to negotiate on its behalf.

On the night of Oct. 20, Russia attacked Ukraine with 165 Shahed-type and other drones, 105 of them jet-powered, Ukraine's Air Force said.

To avoid overloading previously damaged equipment, power limitation schedules for industry will be applied across all of Ukraine, as well as hourly outage schedules in some regions, Ukrenergo announced.