Thursday, November 7

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Consequences of a drone attack on Kyiv in the Pechersk district of the city, November 7, 2024. (Telegram/DSNS of Kyiv)

Zelensky congratulates Trump on US election victory. "I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September, when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine," Zelensky wrote.

Biden administration rushing to deliver $6 billion in remaining aid to Ukraine ahead of Trump's inauguration, Politico reports. Two administration officials told Politico that the White House plans to expedite the weapons delivery amid concerns that a future Trump administration would halt weapons shipments before they reach Kyiv.

Russian drone attack on Kyiv damages buildings, causes fires in five districts. Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv overnight on Nov. 6, striking a residential building as well as an auto repair shop in the capital, the Kyiv City Military Administration reported.

Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.

Ukraine's gas production highest since full-scale invasion's start. According to EXPRO’s calculations, gross natural gas production rose by 2.3% in October 2024 compared to the same month last year, reaching 1.663 billion cubic meters, the highest level since January 2022.

Zelensky to visit Hungary for European Political Community Summit. "We will discuss security challenges in Europe, as well as new opportunities for all partners," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Russia's Dagestan claims to intercept drone, airport halts flights. The downing of a drone in Dagestan comes shortly after an unprecedented drone strike against a Russian military academy in neighboring Chechnya on Oct. 29.

The Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF) — one of the largest international forums in Eastern Europe — will take place on Nov. 7, with the Kyiv Independent as a media partner.

KIEF brings together representatives of business, government, and society to promote Ukraine's integration into the global community.

Register here: **forumkyiv.org/en/**

Read our exclusives

With Trump back in White House, can Ukraine opt for nuclear deterrence?

With the looming risk that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may pull the plug on Washington's support for Ukraine, Kyiv has flirted with the option of nuclear deterrence.

Photo: Mykhaylo Palinchak/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

What we know about Trump's plans for ending Russia’s war against Ukraine

Trump has repeatedly said he could end Russia's war "in 24 hours." What is his plan?

Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

This is what Ukrainians in Kyiv think about Trump’s election victory

As Donald Trump triumphs in the U.S. presidential election, Ukrainians brace themselves for what it means for their nation.

Photo: The Kyiv Independent

Ukraine state-owned enterprises weekly — Special issue on state-owned railway company Ukrzaliznytsia

In this special issue, Oleksandr Lysenko and Andriy Boytsun highlight several events illustrating failures in the corporate governance of Ukrzaliznytsia.

Photo: Stanislav Ivanov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

Trump wins US 2024 presidential election – what this means for Ukraine.

Republican candidate Donald Trump claims victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, foreign leaders issue messages, congratulating the former president on returning the White House.

The Republican Party will also take control of the U.S. Senate. The House election results are still being counted. This will impact how — if at all — any future aid arrives in Kyiv from Washington.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Human cost of war

Russian attacks against Ukraine injure 37, kill 9 over past day. Russia launched 63 Shaheds and other drones overnight, as well as two Kh-59 and Kh-31P guided missiles. Ukrainian air defenses shot 38 drones over nine regions while 22 were "lost," the Air Force said.‌‌

Russia has executed at least 124 Ukrainian POWs on battlefield, Prosecutor General's Office says. Denys Lysenko, head of the department focused on war-related crimes, said that 49 criminal investigations were underway regarding the execution of Ukrainian POWs.

Opinions and insights

Opinion: Biden's foreign policy missteps weakened the West and undermined Harris' path to the presidency.

History will likely judge U.S. President Joe Biden poorly. He set himself a singular mission: to save democracy. But the risk is that his own ego may have jeopardized that very cause — not only in the U.S. but across the West, writes Timothy Ash, Associate Fellow at Chatham House.

Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

International response

Orban congratulates Trump on victory, calls it biggest comeback in US political history. "The biggest comeback in U.S. political history! Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his enormous win. A much needed victory for the World!" Viktor Orban posted.

Georgian PM hopes for 'restart' of ties with US after Trump's reelection. "I am confident that President Trump’s leadership will promote peace globally and in our region as well as ensure restart in U.S.-Georgia relations," Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on X.

Russia-Ukraine war can't be stopped overnight**, Kremlin reacts to Trump.** "We have repeatedly said that the United States of America can help end the conflict in Ukraine. This, of course, cannot be done overnight," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Europe must take responsibility for its security, Polish FM says after Trump's win. "The winds of history are blowing ever more strongly. Poland's leadership will rise to the occasion," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said, urging European countries to boost defense spending.

Updated: Russian officials cautiously cheer on Trump's victory. "Trump has one quality that is useful to us: as a businessman to the core, he hates spending money on freeloaders, on idiotic allies, charity projects, and greedy international organizations," former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said.

Russian war in 'stalemate,' needs to be brought to end, Republican senator says. "That doesn't mean we celebrate what Vladimir Putin did or are excited about it, but I think there has to be some common sense here. We are funding a stalemate that's costing lives... and Ukraine is going to take 100 years to rebuild with everything they're facing," Rubio said.

Ukraine, US have 'potential for stronger cooperation,' Zelensky says following Trump victory. "On defense, on the economy, and on the future after the war – we have the potential for stronger cooperation," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "This is what will make Ukraine, America, and the entire free world more successful."

Zelensky holds call with Trump to congratulate him on election victory. President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call with President-elect Donald Trump on Nov. 6 to congratulate him on his presidential election victory, Zelensky said on social media.

U.S. presidential election

Trump wins battleground state Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania, a pivotal swing state with a large Ukrainian population, has played a key role in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The candidates have campaigned aggressively in the state, with both Trump and Harris holding dueling rallies there the night before election day.

Trump wins Wisconsin, cementing his election victory. Donald Trump is projected to win the swing state of Wisconsin, putting him safely across the benchmark needed for victory with 277 electoral votes.

‘I’m going to stop the wars’ – Trump says**, as he claims victory.** "They said ‘he will start a war.’ I’m not going to start a war, I’m going to stop the wars," said Donald Trump during a speech in which he claimed victory in the 2024 presidential elections.

‘It will not be like before’: Ukrainian politicians respond to Trump’s win with caution, uncertainty. With Republican candidate Donald Trump set to become the next U.S. president, Ukrainian politicians have reacted carefully – congratulating the former-turned-future president and emphasizing the need for diplomacy and cooperation, while also expressing uncertainty about what his victory means for Ukraine.

This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand's visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Contact partnerships@kyivindependent.com for more details.

Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Martin Fornusek, Boldizsár Győri, Chris York, Kateryna Hodunova, and Dmytro Basmat.

If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program_**. Start supporting independent journalism today.**_