Russia drops cluster bombs on Ukraine as Kyiv consolidates front line

What the report says

Ukraine said it has regained more territory than Russia captured this year, even as Russia intensified strikes on civilian infrastructure and used cluster munitions in attacks on Kyiv and other areas. Al Jazeera reported on October 23, 2026, that the fighting and air assaults came as the front line shifted, with Kyiv saying its forces had stabilised key defensive positions in the east.

According to Ukrainian officials cited by the outlet, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian troops had liberated more land since the start of autumn than Russian forces had taken. The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War was quoted saying Ukraine had recorded a net territorial gain since September 1, which would effectively erase Russia’s gains for the year. Al Jazeera also reported that Russian military losses have increased, based on Ukrainian estimates and battlefield assessments.

The article said Russia has responded to setbacks by escalating attacks on energy facilities and residential areas. Kyiv said three ballistic missiles with cluster warheads were fired at the capital on October 22, causing harm in civilian districts. Moscow said it was targeting drone and missile production sites. The story also noted repeated strikes on Ukraine’s power grid, despite a US-declared energy ceasefire.

The report comes amid renewed diplomacy, with US envoy Steve Witkoff holding meetings with leaders in Kyiv and Moscow ahead of discussions on a possible trilateral US-Russia-Ukraine meeting.