Russia attacked several Ukrainian cities, killing at least five people, shortly after Ukraine accepted a U.S. ceasefire proposal. The strikes raised concerns about the viability of negotiations, as the Kremlin views the ceasefire as a potential trap. The situation remains delicate, with Ukraine firmly opposing any territorial concessions.
On March 12, 2025, Russia launched an attack on multiple Ukrainian cities using missiles, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuries to at least eleven. The strike occurred shortly after discussions between Ukrainian leadership and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia raised hopes for a ceasefire. Affected regions included Odessa, Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kyiv, and Sumy, as reported by local media.
Two missile strikes in Kryvyi Rih claimed the life of one woman and injured four others, while a separate attack on the Odesa port resulted in the deaths of three Syrian sailors and one Ukrainian. Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba confirmed these fatalities, stating, “The youngest of the deceased was 18, and the oldest was 24”. The civilians were involved in loading a wheat shipment to Algeria.
Moscow’s attack with three ballistic missiles and over 130 drones occurred mere hours after Ukraine accepted a U.S. proposal for a potential 30-day ceasefire, contingent upon Russian compliance. In response, the U.S. pledged to lift its pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed these actions had been implemented.
Although the Kremlin did not publicly acknowledge the proposal, reports indicated that President Vladimir Putin viewed the ceasefire deal as a potential “trap” and signified hesitance to agree without further assurances, as Russia maintains an advantageous position in ongoing military actions. A source, wishing to remain anonymous, noted, “It is difficult for Putin to agree to this in its current form.”
Ukraine has expressed reluctance to consent to any ceasefire that entails ceding territory, particularly the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump has aimed to end the conflict and has exhibited a sympathetic stance toward Russia, highlighted by a contentious exchange with President Zelenskyy in late February. In related developments, military bloggers aligned with the Kremlin shared footage of Russian forces raising flags in Sudzha, a town in the Kursk region occupied by Ukraine since August 2024.
The recent missile strikes by Russia on Ukraine have cast doubt on the prospect of a ceasefire following discussions with U.S. officials. The attack resulted in significant casualties and highlighted ongoing tensions, as the Kremlin perceives the ceasefire proposal as a strategic disadvantage. The situation remains complex, with Ukraine unwilling to concede territory, even as the U.S. prepares to reinstate support for Kyiv.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
