Russian bombs kill at least 24 at Ukraine aid centre; US sets new peace talks in Abu Dhabi

At least 24 people were killed on Monday when Russian aerial bombs struck a school used as a humanitarian aid centre in the village of Komyshuvakha in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. The Associated Press, citing officials, put the toll at 26, and warned that it could rise because about 20 people were still unaccounted for.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the first strike hit the school and a later strike hit a nearby shelter where people had gathered. The emergency service said rescuers and police who reached the site were caught in further strikes. Among the dead were two rescue workers and police officers, and at least five people were injured. Regional official Mykhailo Semikin said continuing drone attacks hampered the search through the rubble.

Kyiv's reaction

Zelensky called it an "exceptionally horrific strike" and said Russia could not have been unaware that residents collected aid there every week. He said the attack showed Moscow did not want de-escalation. Russia has consistently denied targeting civilians; there was no specific Russian comment on the Komyshuvakha strike in reports on Monday. Komyshuvakha lies about 20 km from the front line.

The strike came as a limited humanitarian ceasefire around Kherson, which allowed aid and evacuations into Russian-occupied Oleshky from October 27, expired. Ukraine's general staff alleged that Russian forces used the pause to resupply. Elsewhere, drones injured 12 people in the Kharkiv region and five in Odesa, while Russia's defence ministry said it shot down 212 Ukrainian drones overnight. Hackers also sent false warnings through government air-alert apps in both countries.

Talks in Abu Dhabi

On Monday, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington would mediate working-level negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow in Abu Dhabi next week. The AP said the talks are set for November 10 and 11. Witkoff said the agenda includes post-war security arrangements, de-escalation and humanitarian issues, and that the sides should build on progress made in earlier rounds.

US negotiators are also due to meet representatives of France, Germany, Britain, the European Union and NATO in Brussels this week to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and post-war reconstruction. Neither Kyiv nor Moscow had publicly commented on the Abu Dhabi dates in the reports.

The India angle

India has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the war and has backed efforts toward a negotiated peace. A durable settlement would also matter for India's energy purchases and trade, including Black Sea grain shipments.