Fact Finder
Russia and Ukraine: the talks, the public positions and unresolved questions
U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10–11 produced a prisoner-exchange agreement in principle. This page separates the documented talks from government claims and unresolved questions.
Developing
Checked against sources retrieved on Nov. 13, 2026. Statements and figures are dated below.
Built from published records and reports; we show what each claim rests on, not a verdict of our own.
About this format and its limits
This page sets out the war and the current talks one claim at a time. Each claim says who makes it, what kind of evidence backs it, and links to the sources we read.
Wartime figures from either government, such as casualties, drones shot down, strike results and who controls a town, are labeled as that government's claim. We state them as fact only where an independent body confirms them.
Official transcripts establish what officials said, not whether their claims are true. News reports are attributed where independent confirmation is unavailable. Sources were retrieved on Nov. 13, 2026; excerpts are shorter than 25 words.
At a glance
- Russia began its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. The UN General Assembly demanded its withdrawal and later rejected its claimed annexation of four regions. UN0UN1UN2
- U.S.-mediated talks took place in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10–11, 2026, the first direct round since February. Negotiators confirmed a prisoner exchange agreed in principle, without final numbers or a date in the Nov. 11 reports. W1W2W3
- AP reports that Russia demands Ukrainian withdrawal from four regions it claims, while Ukraine rejects handing over territory Russia has not captured and calls for an immediate ceasefire. W6
- After meeting Putin on Nov. 12, Witkoff told CNN that a new meeting had been set. Peskov said on Nov. 13 that a decision on an expanded format depended on Europe's intentions. W4K1
- Al Jazeera and the Wall Street Journal report ISW estimates of roughly 117–119 sq km gained by Russia in Ukraine from January through October 2026. These are estimates, not verified territorial totals. W9W10
- Ukrainian officials report Russian strikes on energy facilities and Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries. The UN monitoring mission said the Nov. 2 Russian attack on an aid-distribution site appeared to violate humanitarian law. UN3W12W20
Timeline
- Full-scale invasion begins Putin announces a 'special military operation' during a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. UN0 3 related claims: Background
- UN vote demands withdrawal The General Assembly votes 141 to 5 to demand that Russia withdraw its forces from Ukraine. UN1 3 related claims: Background
- UN rejects claimed annexation The General Assembly votes 143 to 5 that Russia's attempted annexation of four regions is illegal. UN2 3 related claims: Background
- Geneva round Russia-Ukraine talks in Geneva end without a breakthrough. Euronews reports the next direct round came nine months later. W2W1 5 related claims: The talks
- Komyshuvakha strike The UN monitoring mission reports that glide bombs hit a school used for aid distribution in Komyshuvakha and says the attack appears to have violated humanitarian law. UN3W18 2 related claims: Civilian harm
- Abu Dhabi talks, day one About four hours of U.S.-mediated talks. European officials meet the U.S. and Ukrainian teams separately. W5U2 5 related claims: The talks
- Prisoner exchange agreed in principle The second day ended after just under two hours. Medinsky, Umerov and Kushner confirmed a planned prisoner exchange, with Medinsky describing agreement in principle. W1W3U3 4 related claims: Prisoner exchange
- Putin meets U.S. envoys The Kremlin records Putin’s meeting with Witkoff and Kushner. CNN reports they also met Zelensky in Dublin; Witkoff told CNN that a new meeting had been set. K1K2W4 5 related claims: The talks
- Starshield limits return, Kyiv says Zelensky says systematic speed restrictions of 161 km/h are again affecting units along the front. W14W16U5 1 related claim: Starshield
- Kremlin noncommittal on Europe Peskov says a decision on an expanded format will follow once Moscow understands Europe's intentions. W4U7 3 related claims: Europe's seat
- Mass drone attack and Moscow car bomb AP reports Russia’s claim that it downed 1,198 Ukrainian drones overnight. BBC reports that investigators said a Moscow car bomb injured former Azarov aide Sergei Zavorotny. W16W19U8 3 related claims: Long-range strikes
Claims
Each claim shows the kind of evidence behind it and how well it is sourced. Sourcing describes the reporting, not whether a claim is true. Open Details for who says so, excerpts and sources.
Showing 5 of 31 claims
Background 0 of 3 claims
- C1
Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, when Vladimir Putin announced a 'special military operation'.
Details for claim C1
“President Putin announced in Moscow that a 'special military operation' in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region had commenced”
UN News, Feb. 2022. UN0 - C2
On March 2, 2022, the UN General Assembly voted 141 to 5, with 35 abstentions, to demand that Russia withdraw all its forces from Ukraine.
Details for claim C2
UN guidance says General Assembly resolutions are recommendations and are not legally binding on member states.
“A total of 141 countries voted in favour of the resolution”
UN News, March 2022. UN1 Sources UN1 UN News, 2 Mar 2022 X1 United Nations, 13 Nov 2026
- C3
On Oct. 12, 2022, the General Assembly voted 143 to 5, with 35 abstentions, to call Russia's attempted annexation of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions illegal and to ask states not to recognize it.
Details for claim C3
Putin signed federal constitutional laws on Oct. 5, 2022, claiming the four regions as Russian territory. AP reports Russia never fully captured them.
“adopted by a recorded vote of 143 in favour to 5 against”
UN press release GA/12458. UN2 Sources UN2 United Nations (press release GA/12458), 12 Oct 2022 X2 Al Jazeera, 5 Oct 2022 X3 PBS News (AP), 5 Oct 2022 W6 PBS NewsHour (AP), 9 Nov 2026
The talks 5 of 5 claims
- C4
U.S.-mediated talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations were held in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10 and 11, 2026: about four hours on day one and just under two hours on day two.
Details for claim C4
“The session lasted four hours and another is scheduled for a second day Wednesday.”
NPR, Nov. 10. W5 “The second day of trilateral talks in the capital of the United Arab Emirates ended after a little less than two hours.”
RFE/RL, Nov. 11. W1 Sources W5 NPR (AP), 10 Nov 2026 W1 RFE/RL, 11 Nov 2026 W3 PBS NewsHour (AP), 11 Nov 2026 U2 Unbiased Headlines, 10 Nov 2026
- C5
The Abu Dhabi round was the first face-to-face meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials since a round in Geneva in February 2026 that ended without a breakthrough.
Details for claim C5
“the first face-to-face meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials since February”
RFE/RL, Nov. 11. W1 “following an earlier round in Geneva in February this year that failed to produce a breakthrough”
Euronews, Nov. 11. W2 Sources W1 RFE/RL, 11 Nov 2026 W2 Euronews, 11 Nov 2026 W3 PBS NewsHour (AP), 11 Nov 2026
- C13
On Nov. 12, Putin met U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the Kremlin. In the published transcript, Putin says there is 'only one line of demarcation – the state border'.
Details for claim C13
The transcript is an official record of what was said; the statements in it are Russia's position.
“For us, there is only one line of demarcation – the state border.”
Kremlin transcript, Nov. 12. K1 Sources K1 President of Russia (Kremlin), 12 Nov 2026 W4 CNN, 13 Nov 2026
- C16
Witkoff told CNN after the Nov. 12 Putin meeting: 'We've restarted it. We've set a new meeting.' The CNN report reviewed does not supply a date or venue for that round.
Details for claim C16
“We've restarted it. We've set a new meeting.”
Witkoff to CNN at Vnukovo Airport, Nov. 12. W4 Sources W4 CNN, 13 Nov 2026 K1 President of Russia (Kremlin), 12 Nov 2026 U8 Unbiased Headlines, 13 Nov 2026
- C20
Ushakov said Putin planned to meet President Trump at the APEC summit in Shenzhen and separately mentioned a China-organized 'trilateral summit'. China's government says the APEC leaders' meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18–19.
Details for claim C20
Kyiv Independent reports that Ushakov earlier said the leaders may hold trilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Kyiv Post reported on Nov. 12 that the White House had not confirmed Trump's attendance; Anadolu reported on Nov. 13 that a possible Trump-Xi-Putin summit remained unconfirmed.
“the planned meeting with him on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen”
Kremlin statement, Nov. 12. K2 “China will hold the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen from Nov. 18 to 19.”
Xinhua via gov.cn. CN1 Sources K2 President of Russia (Kremlin), 12 Nov 2026 CN1 Government of China (gov.cn, Xinhua), 10 Sep 2026 X14 Kyiv Independent, 12 Nov 2026 X13 Kyiv Post, 12 Nov 2026 X15 Anadolu Agency, 13 Nov 2026
Prisoner exchange 0 of 4 claims
- C6
On Nov. 11, Medinsky, Umerov and Kushner confirmed a planned large prisoner exchange, with Medinsky describing agreement in principle. Euronews reported that final numbers and timing were not provided.
Details for claim C6
“We have reached an agreement in principle on a new large-scale prisoner exchange.”
Medinsky to Russian journalists, via RFE/RL. W1 “neither side provided further details on its timing or scale”
Euronews, Nov. 11. W2 Sources W1 RFE/RL, 11 Nov 2026 W2 Euronews, 11 Nov 2026 W3 PBS NewsHour (AP), 11 Nov 2026 U3 Unbiased Headlines, 11 Nov 2026
- C7
Zelensky said negotiators had discussed exchanging 1,000 prisoners from each side, possibly rising to 1,500 each.
Details for claim C7
A figure stated by one party; not confirmed by Russia.
“negotiators had been discussing an exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side, potentially rising to 1,500 each”
Euronews, Nov. 11. W2 - C8
A Russian General Staff officer, Alexander Zorin, told Russian state TV that the exchange could take place within two or three weeks.
Details for claim C8
“The latest exchange could take place in the next two or three weeks, he said.”
AP via PBS, Nov. 11. W3 - C21
The Kremlin says 35 prisoner exchanges have taken place since 2025, involving about 5,000 people from each side.
Details for claim C21
A Kremlin total, not independently verified in this review.
“since 2025, there have been 35 prisoner exchanges, involving approximately 5,000 individuals on each side”
Kremlin statement, Nov. 12. K2
Territory 0 of 5 claims
- C9
AP reports that Putin's terms include Ukrainian withdrawal from four regions claimed by Moscow, abandoning NATO membership, military limits and dropping restrictions on the Russian language and Moscow-affiliated Orthodox Church. AP reports that he rejects a general ceasefire before a comprehensive deal.
Details for claim C9
“wants Ukraine to pull its troops back from the four regions that Moscow illegally annexed in September 2022 but never fully captured”
AP via PBS, Nov. 9. W6 Sources W6 PBS NewsHour (AP), 9 Nov 2026 W2 Euronews, 11 Nov 2026 U1 Unbiased Headlines, 9 Nov 2026
- C10
AP reports that Zelensky rejects handing over territory Russia has not captured. It reports that Ukraine calls for an immediate ceasefire and a direct Putin-Zelensky meeting to settle territorial issues. Zelensky said on Oct. 21 that Ukraine was ready to freeze the conflict along the current front line, Anadolu reported.
Details for claim C10
“Ukraine argues that an immediate ceasefire is the first step toward negotiating a wider settlement”
AP via PBS, Nov. 9. W6 Sources W6 PBS NewsHour (AP), 9 Nov 2026 X23 Anadolu Agency, 21 Oct 2026
- C11
Euronews reported on Nov. 11 that Russia continued to demand Ukrainian withdrawal from territory in the eastern Donbas still held by Kyiv, while Zelensky said territorial decisions required a leaders' meeting.
Details for claim C11
“Russia continues to insist that Ukraine withdraw from territory in the eastern Donbas region still under Kyiv's control”
Euronews, Nov. 11. W2 Sources W2 Euronews, 11 Nov 2026
- C14
Putin proposed an observed evacuation of the 400 to 500 civilians he said remain in Kostiantynivka (Konstantinovka in Russian), saying it would show who controls the town. He said he believes Russian troops control it.
Details for claim C14
This is Putin's claim. ISW said on Nov. 12 that the claim is false, citing at least 41 Ukrainian positions observed in and around the town since Sept. 1. The Wall Street Journal on Nov. 7 described Kostiantynivka as a Ukrainian-fortified city.
“I believe this town is controlled by Russian troops.”
Kremlin transcript, Nov. 12. K1 Sources K1 President of Russia (Kremlin), 12 Nov 2026 K2 President of Russia (Kremlin), 12 Nov 2026 X6 Institute for the Study of War, 12 Nov 2026 W10 Hindustan Times (WSJ), 7 Nov 2026
- C32
U.S. officials said on Nov. 9 that Washington had asked Moscow to accept security guarantees for Ukraine modeled on NATO's Articles 4 and 5. One official said any U.S. guarantee would ultimately depend on Trump and Zelensky.
Details for claim C32
Background briefing by unnamed officials; no public U.S. text of a guarantee has been released.
“Washington had asked Moscow to accept security guarantees for Ukraine modeled on NATO's Articles 4 and 5”
RFE/RL, Nov. 9. X20
Security demands 0 of 1 claim
- C15
Ushakov said Putin restated Russia's 2021 proposals: no NATO expansion, no threatening weapons near Russia's borders, and a return to the alliance-force configuration at the signing of the Russia-NATO Founding Act.
Details for claim C15
The NATO-Russia Founding Act was signed on May 27, 1997. When Russia raised its December 2021 proposals in January 2022, NATO's secretary general said allies reaffirmed NATO's open-door policy.
“the non-expansion of the NATO bloc, the non-deployment of threatening weapons systems near Russia's borders”
Kremlin statement, Nov. 12. K2 Sources K2 President of Russia (Kremlin), 12 Nov 2026 X5 NATO, 27 May 1997 X4 NATO, 12 Jan 2022
Europe's seat 0 of 3 claims
- C17
Kushner said Russia and Ukraine agreed to European participation in the next round. The Kremlin has not confirmed this: its spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said a decision would come once Moscow understands Europe's intentions.
Details for claim C17
“Once we understand their actual intentions and their willingness to contribute to the peace process, we can then make a decision”
Peskov via CNN, Nov. 13. W4 Sources W4 CNN, 13 Nov 2026 U7 Unbiased Headlines, 13 Nov 2026 U8 Unbiased Headlines, 13 Nov 2026
- C18
Officials from Britain, France, Germany and Italy, NATO and the EU were in Abu Dhabi, but they met the U.S. and Ukrainian teams separately and were not part of the talks with Russia.
Details for claim C18
“their consultations with US representatives have been separate from the trilateral negotiations with Russia”
RFE/RL, Nov. 11. W1 Sources W1 RFE/RL, 11 Nov 2026 W3 PBS NewsHour (AP), 11 Nov 2026 U3 Unbiased Headlines, 11 Nov 2026
- C19
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europe must insist on a ceasefire before talks go further. Putin's stated order is the reverse: a full settlement before any halt in fighting.
Details for claim C19
“If we start to talk about what Russia is asking regarding the security architecture, we actually walk into the traps”
Kallas in Dublin, via AP/PBS. W16 Sources W16 PBS NewsHour (AP), 13 Nov 2026 U8 Unbiased Headlines, 13 Nov 2026 W6 PBS NewsHour (AP), 9 Nov 2026
Front line and losses 0 of 3 claims
- C22
Al Jazeera reported an ISW estimate of 117.38 sq km gained by Russia in January–October 2026. The Wall Street Journal reported 46 square miles, about 119 sq km. Al Jazeera's 2025 total of 5,304 sq km includes 473 sq km retaken inside Russia's Kursk region.
Details for claim C22
Reported mapping estimates, not a verified territorial total or a like-for-like annual comparison.
“Territory seized by Russian forces in the first 10 months of 2026 amounts to 117.38 sq km”
Al Jazeera, citing ISW. W9 Sources W9 Al Jazeera, 6 Nov 2026 W10 Hindustan Times (WSJ), 7 Nov 2026
- C23
United24 and Al Jazeera report that Ukraine's General Staff estimated 54,400 Russian personnel killed or wounded in October 2026, its highest monthly estimate. This review has not independently verified the figure.
Details for claim C23
The Wall Street Journal separately reports a rounded 54,000 attributed to Zelensky and says it could not verify that estimate.
“54,400 Russian troops killed or wounded”
United24, citing the General Staff. W11 “The estimate couldn't be verified.”
WSJ via Hindustan Times. W10 Sources W11 United24 Media (Ukrainian state media), 3 Nov 2026 W9 Al Jazeera, 6 Nov 2026
- C31
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Nov. 11 that Russia had been losing more than 40,000 troops killed or seriously wounded a month, and that early reporting suggested October exceeded 50,000.
Details for claim C31
Rutte did not give a source for the figures; they have not been independently verified.
“Here in one month, Russia, dead or seriously wounded, 40,000.”
NV, Nov. 12, quoting Rutte. X11 Sources X11 NV (The New Voice of Ukraine), 12 Nov 2026 X12 Kyiv Post, 12 Nov 2026
Civilian harm 0 of 2 claims
- C24
On Nov. 2, multiple glide bombs struck a school building in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region, where civilians had gathered for announced aid distribution. The UN mission says the attack 'seems to have violated' international humanitarian law.
Details for claim C24
This is a UN monitoring assessment, not a court ruling. CNN reported on Nov. 10 that Russia had not commented on the strike itself; Russia's Defense Ministry told state media it attacked Ukrainian military units in the area that day.
“this attack seems to have violated the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law”
Danielle Bell, head of the UN mission. UN3 Sources UN3 UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, 3 Nov 2026 W17 CNN, 3 Nov 2026 W18 PBS NewsHour (AP), 3 Nov 2026 U10 Unbiased Headlines, 4 Nov 2026 X16 CNN, 10 Nov 2026
- C25
The UN mission said local authorities reported at least 31 civilians killed as of Nov. 3 and that verification was continuing. CBS reported on Nov. 8 that Zelensky put the death toll at 55.
Details for claim C25
The UN mission said it was still verifying the number of casualties; no final UN-verified toll was found as of Nov. 13.
“at least 31 civilians had been killed and five injured in the attack”
UN mission, citing local authorities, Nov. 3. UN3 “The death toll has risen to 55 people, Zelenskyy said.”
CBS News, Nov. 8. W20 Sources UN3 UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, 3 Nov 2026 W20 CBS News, 8 Nov 2026 U11 Unbiased Headlines, 8 Nov 2026 X25 AP via NewsNation, 8 Nov 2026 X16 CNN, 10 Nov 2026
Long-range strikes 0 of 3 claims
- C26
Kyiv Post reported that Ukraine's General Staff said it targeted at least nine Russian refineries between Oct. 30 and Nov. 11, naming Omsk, Kirishi, Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod and Yaroslavl among the country's largest.
Details for claim C26
This is a Ukrainian military claim. Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed drone hits on Kirishi's industrial zone and a refinery fire on Nov. 9.
“Between Oc. 30 and Nov. 11, Ukrainian forces targeted at least nine Russian refineries”
Kyiv Post, citing the General Staff. W12 Sources W12 Kyiv Post, 12 Nov 2026 X8 Kyiv Post, 9 Nov 2026 X9 Meduza, 9 Nov 2026 X10 Al Jazeera, 9 Nov 2026
- C27
The Moscow Times reported on Nov. 13 that Volgograd Governor Andrei Bocharov said four workers were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on the southern industrial zone, revising his earlier report of fires without casualties.
Details for claim C27
“He initially said at around 1:00 a.m. local time that falling drone debris caused “localized fires””
The Moscow Times, Nov. 13. W13 - C28
AP reported that Russia's Defense Ministry said it downed 1,198 Ukrainian long-range drones overnight into Nov. 13. AP's 9:58 a.m. EST report cited local officials reporting seven deaths; later reports cited different totals.
Details for claim C28
“1,198 Ukrainian long-range drones between late Thursday and early Friday”
AP via PBS, Nov. 13. W16 Sources W16 PBS NewsHour (AP), 13 Nov 2026 W4 CNN, 13 Nov 2026 W19 BBC, 13 Nov 2026
Starshield 0 of 1 claim
- C29
Zelensky said on Nov. 12 that renewed Starshield restrictions affected Ukrainian units along the front, limiting the speed at which connected equipment could operate to 161 km/h (100 mph). This refers to equipment movement, not internet bandwidth.
Details for claim C29
CNN's Nov. 13 update says SpaceX had previously said its service had not changed. In October, Musk wrote that Starshield limits are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately the president.
“Zelensky stressed that the disruptions are not "random errors" but systematic restrictions.”
Kyiv Independent, Nov. 12. W14 Sources W14 Kyiv Independent, 12 Nov 2026 W16 PBS NewsHour (AP), 13 Nov 2026 W4 CNN, 13 Nov 2026 U5 Unbiased Headlines, 12 Nov 2026 W15 NPR, 24 Oct 2026
Attacks inside Russia 0 of 1 claim
- C30
BBC reported on Nov. 13 that Russia's Investigative Committee said a car bomb injured Sergei Zavorotny, a former aide to Mykola Azarov, in Moscow. BBC also reported that a car bomb killed a Russian military officer in St. Petersburg the previous day.
Details for claim C30
The committee statement quoted by BBC does not assign responsibility. The Moscow Times and Meduza also reported the St. Petersburg car bombing. Russian authorities had not publicly named a suspect.
“He was taken to one of the city hospitals, where he is receiving medical care”
Investigative Committee statement via BBC. W19 Sources W19 BBC, 13 Nov 2026 X18 The Moscow Times, 12 Nov 2026 X19 Meduza, 12 Nov 2026
No claims match these filters. Clear all
Dates to watch
Our coverage
- Nov. 13: Ukraine Says It Has Hit All Five of Russia's Largest Refineries Since Oct. 30 U6
- Nov. 13: Car Bomb Injures Ex-Azarov Aide in Moscow a Day After St. Petersburg Blast U7
- Nov. 13: Ukraine Launches Nearly 1,200 Drones at Russia as Kallas Warns Against Moscow's 'Traps' U8
- Nov. 12: Witkoff Says New Round of Talks Agreed After Putin Meeting; Europe's Seat Still Unsettled U4
- Nov. 12: Zelensky Says 100 mph Starshield Speed Cap Is Back U5
- Nov. 11: Abu Dhabi Talks End With Prisoner Swap Agreed in Principle, No Ceasefire U3
- Nov. 10: Abu Dhabi Talks End Day One After Four Hours U2
- Nov. 9: White House Says It Is 'Cautiously Optimistic' as U.S., Russia and Ukraine Open Abu Dhabi Talks Tuesday U1
- Nov. 8: Russian Strikes Cut Power to Over 600,000 in Dnipropetrovsk; Komyshuvakha Toll Rises to 55 U11
- Nov. 7: Russia Gained 46 Square Miles in Ukraine in 10 Months of 2026, ISW Says U9
- Nov. 4: Komyshuvakha Strike Toll Rises to 33, UN Mission Says Attack Appears to Violate Humanitarian Law U10
What is not known
- Territory. The Nov. 11 reports reviewed do not document agreed territorial terms. Euronews reports conflicting Russian and Ukrainian positions. W2
- Security guarantees. U.S. officials said Washington asked Moscow to accept Article 4- and 5-style guarantees for Ukraine; one said any U.S. guarantee depends on Trump and Zelensky. No decision has been announced. X20X21
- Prisoner exchange. The Nov. 11 reports do not give final exchange numbers or a date; the Nov. 12 Kremlin statement says parameters were being finalized. W2W3K2
- Casualties. This review does not independently establish military casualty totals. Al Jazeera says it cannot independently verify the casualty claims it reports. W9
- Europe's role. Kushner said European representatives would join future talks; Peskov’s Nov. 13 comments made an expanded format conditional. The sources reviewed do not establish a final participant list. W4W16
- Refinery damage. How much refining capacity is offline is not independently established. W12
- Starshield. Who imposed the restrictions has not been established. Musk says the U.S. government controls Starshield; Trump said he did not think he or Musk was responsible. W14W4W15
- Car bombs. The Investigative Committee statement quoted by BBC does not identify who was responsible for the Moscow explosion. W19
- Kostiantynivka. Putin claimed Russian control on Nov. 12; ISW called that claim false the same day. No neutral body has confirmed who controls the town. K1X6
- Shenzhen. Kremlin aide Ushakov has named Chinese President Xi Jinping as the possible third leader. As of Nov. 13, the White House had not confirmed a Trump-Putin meeting or a three-way summit. K2X14X13X15
Sources (58)
- U1
- U2Unbiased Headlines Abu Dhabi Talks End Day One After Four Hoursunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own coverage.
- U3Unbiased Headlines Abu Dhabi Talks End With Prisoner Swap Agreed in Principle, No Ceasefireunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own coverage.
- U4Unbiased Headlines Witkoff Says New Round of Talks Agreed After Putin Meeting; Europe's Seat Still Unsettledunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own coverage.
- U5Unbiased Headlines Zelensky Says 100 mph Starshield Speed Cap Is Backunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own coverage.
- U6Unbiased Headlines Ukraine Says It Has Hit All Five of Russia's Largest Refineries Since Oct. 30unbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own coverage.
- U7Unbiased Headlines Car Bomb Injures Ex-Azarov Aide in Moscow a Day After St. Petersburg Blastunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own coverage.
- U8Unbiased Headlines Ukraine Launches Nearly 1,200 Drones at Russia as Kallas Warns Against Moscow's 'Traps'unbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own coverage.
Show all 58 sources
- U9Unbiased Headlines Russia Gained 46 Square Miles in Ukraine in 10 Months of 2026, ISW Saysunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own coverage.
- U10Unbiased Headlines Komyshuvakha Strike Toll Rises to 33, UN Mission Says Attack Appears to Violate Humanitarian Lawunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own coverage.
- U11Unbiased Headlines Russian Strikes Cut Power to Over 600,000 in Dnipropetrovsk; Komyshuvakha Toll Rises to 55unbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own coverage.
- K1President of Russia (Kremlin) Meeting with US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (transcript)en.kremlin.ru (opens in a new tab)Official Russian government transcript; statements are Russian positions.
- K2President of Russia (Kremlin) Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov's commentary following the meeting with Witkoff and Kushneren.kremlin.ru (opens in a new tab)Official Russian government statement; claims are Russian positions.
- UN0UN News As Security Council meets on Ukraine crisis, Russia announces start of 'special military operation'news.un.org (opens in a new tab)United Nations reporting or official record; not UBH reporting.
- UN1UN News General Assembly resolution demands end to Russian offensive in Ukrainenews.un.org (opens in a new tab)United Nations reporting or official record; not UBH reporting.
- UN2United Nations (press release GA/12458) With 143 votes in favour, General Assembly adopts resolution condemning Russian Federation's annexation of four eastern Ukraine regionspress.un.org (opens in a new tab)United Nations reporting or official record; not UBH reporting.
- UN3UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Mass casualty attack in Zaporizhzhia region shows the devastating impact of glide bombsukraine.un.org (opens in a new tab)United Nations reporting or official record; not UBH reporting.
- CN1Government of China (gov.cn, Xinhua) APEC CEO Summit 2026 to be held in Shenzhen from Nov. 17 to 18english.www.gov.cn (opens in a new tab)Chinese state outlet, used only for event dates.
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- W11United24 Media (Ukrainian state media) Russia Suffered Its Worst Month of the War, Losing 54,400 Troopsunited24media.com (opens in a new tab)Ukrainian state outlet; repeats Ukrainian military figures.
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- X1United Nations How decisions are made at the UNun.org (opens in a new tab)UN explainer on the legal effect of General Assembly resolutions.
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- X6Institute for the Study of War Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 12, 2026understandingwar.org (opens in a new tab)Independent research group; open-source assessment.
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- X11NV (The New Voice of Ukraine) Monthly Russian troop losses rival 14 years of U.S. Vietnam War deaths, Rutte saysenglish.nv.ua (opens in a new tab)
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- X21Kyiv Post US asks Russia about NATO-like guarantees for Ukraine – FTkyivpost.com (opens in a new tab)Summarizes a Financial Times report.
- X23
- X25AP via NewsNation Russia targets emergency crews at the site of a deadly strike in southern Ukrainenewsnationnow.com (opens in a new tab)AP report, syndicated copy.
Updates and corrections
- First version.
- Recovery review: restored and attributed items on territory, NATO history, refineries, Starshield, Shenzhen, casualties and car bombs with added sources.
- Final review: removed items resting on a single report, anonymous sourcing or a company estimate.
Found an error? Tell us through our contact page and we will correct it and log the change here. Corrections policy · Contact
