Kremlin Aide Suggests Putin Would Take Zelensky's Call Amid Renewed Strikes

A Kremlin aide has indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin would respond to a call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, amidst ongoing missile and drone strikes between the two nations.

'I think he would answer, of course. Putin has never refused talks,' Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin aide, was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. Ushakov also suggested that Zelensky is welcome to visit Moscow for discussions.

The remarks follow Finland's president acting as an intermediary this week, conveying Zelensky's willingness to initiate peace talks. Ushakov proposed that future negotiations to end the conflict could benefit from a trilateral format involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. He noted existing working contacts with the Americans, making a trilateral approach logical for initial rounds of negotiation.

Separately, Pope Leo has expressed hope that a recent ceasefire in the Ukrainian town of Oleshky, brokered in connection with a humanitarian aid mission, could serve as a foundation for broader peace efforts. Pope Leo spoke with both Putin and Zelensky on October 16, with the Kremlin stating Putin supported a Vatican initiative to deliver supplies to civilians in Oleshky. However, the Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, indicated the Vatican did not play a direct role in arranging the six-day ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has continued to target Russian energy infrastructure. One of Russia's largest oil refineries, the Kstovo facility in the Nizhny Novgorod region, reportedly sustained significant damage and fire following a large-scale drone attack. Gleb Nikitin, governor of Nizhny Novgorod region, stated that over 100 drones were destroyed and preliminary information indicated no casualties, though the specific plant's activities were not detailed. Russian investigators are reportedly looking into the incident on suspicion of terrorism charges.

Ukrainian media identified the Kstovo facility as a major producer of fuel and lubricants. President Zelensky also stated that Ukrainian strikes had successfully hit the Kamesky plant in Russia's Rostov region. Russia's Deputy Energy Minister, Alexander Novak, had previously informed state TV that Ukraine had resumed attacks on Russian plants after a several-day pause, targeting three oil refineries and one gas-chemical complex.

These strikes on Russian oil and gas sites are seen as retaliation for Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. US President Donald Trump had reportedly been pressuring Kyiv to cease such attacks, citing concerns about rising diesel prices.

In Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of households were left without power on Sunday after Russia targeted infrastructure in four regions overnight, according to President Zelensky. He noted the high intensity of Russian strikes and their exploitation of a deficit in ballistic missile interceptors.

Earlier in the week, Ukraine reportedly employed kamikaze drones launched from weather balloons in an attempt to disrupt operations at Moscow's airports. War channels in Russia revealed this unconventional tactic aimed at closing airspace around the Russian capital, with balloons potentially used to transport drones at high altitudes for maximum impact. This tactic has coincided with widespread flight delays and cancellations across Russia, reportedly causing growing frustration and impacting air travel in cities including Moscow, Novosibirsk, and St. Petersburg.