Russia launched drones and glide bombs on Ukrainian cities Monday night, marking the first offensive since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Easter ceasefire.
Odessa’s regional administrator, Oleh Kiper, said Russia launched a “massive” drone attack on the city, injuring at least three. Mr. Kiper confirmed on social media that the drones mostly targeted civilian infrastructure.
“Civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, an educational institution, vehicles were damaged in the city, and fires broke out,” Mr. Kiper wrote on Telegram. “All relevant services are working to eliminate the consequences of the Russian attacks.”
Moscow also reportedly launched two glide bomb attacks on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia. The attacks injured more than 20 civilians and killed at least one person, according to Ivan Fedorov, regional director.
The attacks reignited the call in Ukraine to end strikes on civilian infrastructure, especially as peace talks are ongoing. Ukraine has proposed a cessation of all strikes on civilian targets in Russia, contingent upon Russia reciprocating the action. Mr. Kiper called on Russia to accept a ceasefire.
“There is an obvious, simplest and most reliable way, namely: to stop the strikes of missiles and long-range drones, and this will automatically guarantee the preservation of all civilian infrastructure,” Mr. Kiper said. “It is the ceasefire – real, lasting – that should be the first step towards a reliable and lasting peace.”
Long-range drone strikes have been crucial in Ukraine’s efforts to slow Russia’s offensives. The strikes have focused particularly on Russia’s energy infrastructure, with overnight strikes severely damaging Russian oil depots this year.
Tuesday’s strikes were Russia’s first major offensive operations after the Easter ceasefire, which Mr. Putin unilaterally declared on Saturday. Ukraine was quick to reciprocate the ceasefire on Sunday. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy complained that Russian attacks were ongoing, saying that Russia had violated the ceasefire nearly 3,000 times.
The attacks come as U.S., Ukrainian, French and U.K. officials are set to meet in London Wednesday to discuss the state of the war and the ongoing peace process. Wednesday’s planned talks follow Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s promise to back away from peace negotiations if there is no progress. Mr. Rubio has said the Trump administration would be watching the London talks closely to determine if enough progress is made.
