Russia Strikes Ukraine Amid Ceasefire Discussions with U.S.
Russia launched missile strikes on Ukraine, resulting in five fatalities, just after Ukraine’s leadership considered a U.S. ceasefire proposal. This offensive involved substantial missile and drone deployments across various cities. The Kremlin has not formally accepted the ceasefire but views it suspiciously, while Ukraine insists it will not cede occupied territories as part of any agreement.
Russia has carried out extensive missile strikes across several Ukrainian cities, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals. This assault follows discussions between Ukraine’s leadership and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, which had raised hopes of a ceasefire. Regional targets included Odessa, Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kyiv, and Sumy, with local reports confirming at least eleven injuries.
In Kryvyi Rih, two missile strikes resulted in the death of one woman and injuries to four others, happening on Wednesday morning. A prior assault on Odesa’s port on Tuesday night led to the death of three Syrian sailors and one Ukrainian while they were loading a vessel with wheat destined for Algeria. According to Oleksiy Kuleba, Ukraine’s Minister of Community and Territorial Development, the ages of the deceased ranged from 18 to 24.
These attacks involved three ballistic missiles and over 130 drones, occurring mere hours after Ukraine accepted a proposed 30-day ceasefire from the U.S., contingent on Russia’s agreement. The United States has indicated that it would resume intelligence sharing and security assistance if Russia complied with the ceasefire. Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Director of National Intelligence, confirmed that assistance has already been resumed.
The Kremlin has not officially responded to the ceasefire offer; however, reports indicate that President Vladimir Putin perceives the proposal as a precarious trap and is hesitant to accept without additional assurances. A source noted, “It is difficult for Putin to agree to this in its current form.” Ukraine has firmly rejected any ceasefire arrangement that would require the relinquishment of territories, including Crimea, historically annexed by Russia in 2014.
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his intention to end the conflict in Ukraine, often reflecting a pro-Russian stance. This was evident during a heated dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February. In related developments, military bloggers aligned with the Kremlin are posting videos of Russian troops raising flags in Sudzha, a town currently occupied by Ukraine since its successful incursion in August 2024.
In summary, Russia’s missile attacks in Ukraine have resulted in casualties and injuries, following Ukraine’s acceptance of a proposed ceasefire by the U.S. While the attacks indicate Russia’s current aggressive military stance, they coincide with international diplomatic efforts aiming for a resolution. Ukraine remains steadfast in not conceding territories, while U.S. leadership continues to adapt its strategy in response to ongoing developments.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
