ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 5, 2026

Key Takeaways from the ISW: A Russian drone struck a Ukrainian-Moldovan border crossing on the morning of October 5, injuring a Moldovan citizen — the first confirmed Moldovan injury due to Russian drones. Russian forces are fielding new drone adaptations intended to maximize damage against Ukrainian infrastructure and frontline areas before Ukraine can implement effective countermeasures at scale. Russia has successfully used jet-powered drones to degrade Ukraine’s railway infrastructure and rolling stock. Russian State Duma officials weaponized reporting that Estonia is reinforcing its border with Russia to promote a cognitive warfare campaign that frames NATO as “escalating” and provoking conflict with Russia. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in northern Kharkiv Oblast. Russia launched 205 drones against Ukraine overnight. JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. See the original here.