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| Illustrative photo: Russian losses at the front as of November 1 (ArmyInform) |
On November 1, 2025, the war in Ukraine enters yet another difficult phase. The fighting, the diplomacy and the humanitarian crisis continue to intensify. Here are the main developments.
Energy infrastructure under attack
The government in Kyiv has accused Russian forces of deliberately striking power substations that serve Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. According to the Ukrainian foreign ministry, the strikes hit substations near the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-reported nuclear plants at South Ukraine and Khmelnitskyi. The ministry called these attacks “nuclear terrorism” and said they violate the laws of war.
In parallel, the G7 countries condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid, pointing to the “devastating social, environmental and economic consequences” of targeting power lines and plants ahead of winter.
The strikes risk leaving civilians without heat or electricity this winter, and further weaken Ukraine’s already fragile infrastructure.
Heavy Russian losses reported
As of November 1, Ukrainian military sources report that Russia’s losses since February 2022 have risen again. According to the latest update, Russia has lost about 1,142,730 troops (+900) in personnel, over 11,316 tanks (+6), and roughly 76,704 UAVs (+349) among other equipment.
These figures underline the heavy price that Moscow is paying in the war, though the sheer scale of fighting and attrition means both sides continue suffering.
Battle for the east: Pokrovsk under pressure
In the Donetsk region, the city of Pokrovsk remains a key focal point. Ukraine deployed special forces into this embattled city via helicopter insertion, in an attempt to halt Russian advances and stabilise the front lines.
According to military sources, Russian troops have managed to breach parts of the city and threaten to encircle Ukrainian defenders. Kyiv described the situation as “difficult.” At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed battlefield gains and used the campaign to stress Russia’s advanced nuclear capabilities.
For Ukraine, holding Pokrovsk is vital because the city is a transport and supply hub in the region. Losing it would deepen Russia’s grip on Donetsk.
Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign into Russia
Meanwhile, Ukraine is shifting some of the fighting onto Russian territory. Since mid-2025, Ukrainian forces have launched long-range drones that can travel up to 1,000 km into Russia. These strikes hit oil refineries, fuel depots and logistics hubs.
Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Vasyl Maliuk, said that over 160 such strikes have occurred this year. The oil refining capacity of Russia has been impacted, forcing some rationing and domestic disruptions. These attacks show Ukraine is no longer purely fighting defensively, but seeks to impose costs deep inside Russia.
Diplomatic breakdown and nuclear weapons fears
Diplomacy around the war has taken a sharp turn. A planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin was cancelled, due to Moscow’s intransigence and aggressive posture.
In addition, Russia is believed by Ukraine to have used the cruise missile 9M729 missile in Ukraine — the same weapon that led to the U.S. withdrawal from the INF Treaty in 2019.
Such developments raise fears of escalation and the possibility of nuclear-armed weapons being brought back into front-line contention.
Humanitarian concerns deepen
The human cost of war continues to rise. Ukrainian officials report increased civilian casualties, especially due to strikes on infrastructure and energy plants. The risk of a winter humanitarian catastrophe is real if heating and power cannot be restored.
There are also signs of gathered evidence for war crimes: In a recent case near Kyiv, authorities concluded an inquiry into the murder of 17 civilians by Russian forces.
Such findings add to the mounting pressure on Russia internationally, while Ukraine continues to push for justice.
Why this matters
The war in Ukraine is no longer restricted to frontline trenches. Energy infrastructure, deep-inside Russian territory strikes, diplomatic break-downs and nuclear weapons threats all add up to a widening conflict. For Ukraine, the winter months ahead may be especially hard. Holding key cities like Pokrovsk, maintaining morale and supply-lines, and safeguarding civilians are all urgent priorities. For Russia, the mounting losses in men and materiel are signs of serious strain — yet Moscow still holds significant resources and shows willingness to escalate.
What to watch next
- Whether Ukraine can stabilize Pokrovsk and prevent further Russian inroads in Donetsk.
- How winter treatment of energy and infrastructure will affect civilians in Ukraine.
- Whether the drone strikes into Russia escalate further and provoke a harsher Russian response.
- If diplomatic efforts revive or fade, especially given nuclear-arms concerns and the cancelled Trump-Putin summit.
- Whether accountability for war-crimes and civilian targeting becomes a stronger part of the international narrative.
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