Ukraine war latest: Zelensky reveals details of 'Operation Veles'

Key Points:

• Ukrainian forces conducted a successful underground pipeline operation near Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, eliminating over 100 Russian soldiers and capturing more than 30, with an underground advance of over 15 kilometers, according to President Zelensky.
• A ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky has been expanded to cover the entirety of Kherson Oblast, allowing safe evacuation of civilians and humanitarian aid delivery until November 1, with both sides reportedly honoring the agreement.
• Russian ballistic missile strikes hit Kyiv overnight, targeting a university campus, a major bridge, administrative buildings, and medical centers, resulting in at least one death and 15 injuries, and causing significant damage to infrastructure including the Southern Bridge.
• Ukrainian postal company Nova Poshta has formed a private air defense force that has successfully shot down Russian drones attacking their facilities, highlighting growing private sector involvement in defense amid ongoing drone threats.
• The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported that since January 2026, Ukrainian drones have killed or severely wounded 302,000 Russian soldiers, making drone warfare a dominant factor on the battlefield and reducing the use of heavy equipment like tanks by both sides.