Zelensky on Russia's campaign to convince Ukrainians he had left the capital: "Russia was putting out a lot of information claiming I had fled. Their whole idea was for people to run, and people would run if they saw that their leader abandoned them. They wanted me to run. I couldn't abandon Kyiv, the office, the people. It's just impossible. That would be betrayal. Betrayal of my human decency and the constitution of Ukraine."

Zelensky: I didn't think there would be a full-scale invasion. I didn't think so because I believe that if people know there's going to be a full-scale invasion, partners and so on, and they don't take preemptive steps, don't sit him down at the table, don't tell him, "Are you out of your mind? Have you lost your mind to wage war, to kill people?" But even so, a full-scale invasion happened.

At least two people were killed in Kyiv after Russia fired 21 ballistic missiles at the city in three waves, President Zelensky said. Infrastructure and residential buildings were damaged. The attack followed the talks with Witkoff.

Trump on Iran: Something one way or the other will happen fairly soon. Most people seem to think it’s after the election. We’re gonna see what happens.

Overnight drone strikes hit the 75th Arsenal in Russia's Moscow Oblast, a facility that repairs and regenerates Buk-M1, Buk-M2 and S-300V air defense systems.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott has pushed back on a Reuters report, saying the ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families applies to Saudi Arabia only. He cited growing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that have caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.

A drone aimed at a facility at Aramco's Shaybah oilfield in eastern Saudi Arabia was intercepted by Saudi air defences, the Energy Ministry announced. Debris from the interception came down on the site. Two people were killed, two more injured.

The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh has issued a security alert over Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure that caused civilian casualties. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remains closed. Jeddah and Dammam airports are operating with delays and cancellations. Americans are advised to use extreme caution at Saudi airports and to follow Civil Defense alerts.

Several explosions were heard minutes ago in Kerpan Sirik, Iran. Their origin and nature remain unknown, according to Fars News Agency.

Trump:

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi: the Egyptian military effort is defensive, meant to protect Saudi territory, and includes no offensive operation in Yemen. He added that Egypt would protect the kingdom's borders and territory, along with those of any other Arab state that requests it, and that the effort would not extend past Egypt's own borders or past the borders of any sister state whose security and stability Egypt works to preserve.

Four Haitian nationals and one Cuban national are among those arrested in a nationwide DHS operation against illegal immigrants accused of fraudulently collecting SNAP benefits, ICE said. Secretary Markwayne Mullin described the arrests as "just a drop in the bucket" and indicated further enforcement is planned. People in the U.S. illegally are generally barred from SNAP under federal law. Fox News

Putin personally ordered a wider campaign of hybrid and direct attacks on NATO and EU states, European intelligence officials tell the Wall Street Journal. The attacks on Germany's Leipzig-Halle Airport weeks ago were the opening move.

Middle East oil flows averaged over 24 million barrels per day in the week through October 18, exceeding the prewar average of 23.3 million BPD, according to Kpler ship tracking data cited by The Wall Street Journal. Roughly 30 attacks on shipping were counted this month. Brent crude traded near $108 a barrel yesterday.

Russian MoD: A Su-30 crashed in the Kaliningrad region on a training flight. The crew ejected and their lives are not in danger. The jet carried no ammunition and came down in an unpopulated area.

Trump: ‘Great news for the wealth and prosperity of the United Kingdom, and the wonderful region of Aberdeen. The U.K. has started drilling in the North Sea, one of the greatest and most prosperous areas of OIL in the World. They should go FULL BLAST!!! This will make the U.K. very wealthy again. TAKE DOWN THE COSTLY AND RIDICULOUS WINDMILLS! President DJT’

Steve Witkoff to Putin: You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that, I commend you, and I thank you again.

Putin met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who presented papers outlining elements of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Putin confirmed he will raise a possible Putin, Trump and Xi meeting in China during the talks: "We have some ideas in this regard as well that we would like to share with you." On the diesel agreement, Putin said several tankers are being readied, with the first departing in two or three days carrying 40,000 tons and the rest following one by one. He also offered to supply large quantities of fertilizer to American farmers. Putin asked Witkoff to thank President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for her role in resolving humanitarian issues.

Putin to Witkoff on Iran: "We have a special, trust-based relationship with our partners in Iran. If we can contribute to the resolution of the war there, we would be willing to do so." On Ukraine, Putin said he knows Trump places special importance on the war, mostly over humanitarian issues. He asked Witkoff to convey his gratitude to both President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for helping resolve them.

A reporter put the foiled Russian attack on Leipzig Airport to AfD leader Alice Weidel. Weidel: "Well, to be honest, I'm not an eyewitness to that. What evidence do we have? With this so-called attempted drone attack, we haven't seen any evidence in parliament."