Russia launched drone attacks on Ukraine’s port city of Odesa, sparking fires and underlining Moscow’s reluctance to accept a temporary pause in strikes on energy infrastructure. Despite agreeing to a limited ceasefire with the US, tensions remain as Ukrainian officials say they need guarantees on what objects will be protected.
The Russian drones struck a high-rise residential building, a shopping centre, and several infrastructure targets, causing widespread damage. The Czech president, Petr Pavel, was in Odesa when the attack occurred, saying it showed “massively” that Russia does not want peace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strike as an example of Russia’s “sincerely destructive nature”.
Ukraine and Russia agreed to a limited ceasefire after US President Donald Trump spoke with their leaders this week. However, details remain unclear, with Ukraine seeking protection for railways and ports, while the Kremlin says only energy infrastructure will be covered.
Senior Ukrainian officials say they hope to secure a ceasefire in talks with Saudi Arabia next week, but are uncertain about when it can be implemented. They claim Russia has not taken reciprocal steps towards agreeing on a ceasefire, highlighting the need for more concrete guarantees.
Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson accused Ukraine of violating a proposed 30-day ceasefire by striking a Russian oil depot before Zelenskyy agreed to the proposal. The Ukrainian side has also accused Russia of breaching its own pledges, citing instances of shelling and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure.
In another incident, a gas pumping station in southern region Zaporizhzhia caught fire due to suspected Russian shelling. Both sides traded blame, with Moscow accusing Ukraine of striking the facility while Ukraine’s general staff denied responsibility.
European leaders are expected to meet next week to discuss plans for credible security guarantees, but tensions remain high. The US has been reluctant to commit troops to support Ukraine, and Russia has repeatedly ruled out the presence of western forces in the country.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/21/russia-strikes-ukraine-drones-odesa-ceasefire