The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate with renewed attacks, military developments, and growing regional tensions. Here are the major updates from Monday, October 27, 2025.
Fighting Across Ukraine and Russia
Russian drone attacks on Kyiv early Sunday killed at least three people and injured 29 others, including seven children, according to Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko.
In the Zaporizhia region, a 63-year-old man was killed, while additional casualties were reported in Kharkiv and Donetsk, where multiple Russian strikes killed five people over the weekend.
Ukraine also launched counterattacks in Russian-occupied Donetsk, killing two people in the Leninsky district, and in Kherson, where one person was reported dead.
Russian state media reported that another Ukrainian strike in the Yasynuvata area killed at least three people early Sunday.
Inside Russia, Ukrainian drone attacks forced the temporary closure of all four major airports in Moscow. According to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, air defences intercepted 28 drones over a five-hour period. One person was killed in Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russia’s Belgorod region.
The Russian Defence Ministry claimed to have shot down 281 Ukrainian drones and two guided bombs within 24 hours. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff announced that Ukrainian forces regained control of Kucheriv Yar and Sukhetske in Donetsk, marking small but strategic victories.
Weapons and Military Developments
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow successfully tested its Burevestnik cruise missile, a nuclear-powered, long-range weapon that can reportedly bypass any defence system.
“It is a unique weapon that no other country possesses,” Putin stated, according to the Kremlin. The missile covered 14,000 kilometres (8,700 miles) over a 15-hour flight, confirmed by General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the Russian General Staff.
Kirill Dmitriev, a top aide to Putin, informed U.S. officials about the test, calling it an “absolutely new class” of strategic weapon.
Political and Diplomatic Tensions
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that Slovakia will not participate in any European Union program aimed at financing Ukraine‘s military support. “I refuse to allow Slovakia to take part in any scheme funding Ukraine’s war and defence spending,” Fico said on Sunday.
Meanwhile, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui is visiting Russia from October 26 to 28, as reported by the RIA news agency. The visit highlights ongoing diplomatic coordination between Moscow and Pyongyang amid international criticism.
Regional Security Concerns
Security tensions are rising across Eastern Europe as NATO member Lithuania took precautionary measures on Sunday, temporarily closing Vilnius airport and several Belarus border crossings after detecting multiple unidentified aerial objects. Officials identified the objects as likely helium balloons, but their repeated appearances have raised concerns about surveillance and potential military testing.
This marks the fourth airspace violation in Lithuania within a week, part of a broader series of incidents that have included drone sightings, low-flying aircraft, and other unverified aerial incursions. Analysts suggest these incidents may represent Russia’s continued testing of NATO’s air defence systems, heightening fears of escalation along the region’s borders.
Neighboring countries are also on alert, with increased border security and radar monitoring in Latvia, Estonia, and Poland. NATO has reiterated its commitment to protecting member states and has deployed additional air defence assets to the region to monitor and respond to any potential threats.
Security experts warn that these incidents could destabilize regional security if not closely monitored, especially as Russia continues to pursue aggressive military actions in Ukraine and demonstrates advanced drone and missile capabilities. The situation underscores the fragile balance in Eastern Europe and the importance of international coordination to prevent accidental escalation.
