Russia launched missile attacks against Ukraine, killing five, after Ukraine accepted a U.S. ceasefire proposal. The strikes occurred in several regions, including Kryvyi Rih and Odesa, while Ukrainian officials confirmed civilian casualties. Russia’s leadership viewed the ceasefire as potentially unfavorable, complicating prospects for peace amidst ongoing military advances.
On March 12, 2025, Russia launched a series of missile attacks against multiple Ukrainian cities, resulting in at least five fatalities and numerous injuries. This aggressive action followed negotiations between Ukraine’s leadership and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, which had generated optimism regarding a potential ceasefire. Affected areas included Odessa, Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kyiv, and Sumy, highlighting the escalating violence amid diplomatic discussions.
Ukrainian media reported two missile strikes in Kryvyi Rih that resulted in one woman’s death and four injuries. The Odesa port attack on Tuesday night claimed the lives of three Syrian sailors and one Ukrainian citizen who were working on a wheat shipment destined for Algeria. According to Oleksiy Kuleba, the Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, the deceased were young, aged between 18 and 24, and confirmed that the ship was a commercial vessel.
The assaults executed by Russian forces included the use of three ballistic missiles and over 130 drones, unfolding just hours after Ukraine accepted a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire contingent upon Russia’s compliance. In light of this agreement, the U.S. pledged to resume intelligence sharing and security support for Ukraine, as stated by Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. director of national intelligence. Notably, there has been no official reaction from the Kremlin regarding the ceasefire proposal.
Reports suggest that President Vladimir Putin perceives the ceasefire agreement as a potential trap and is hesitant to commit without further assurances, given Russia’s current military advances. An anonymous source indicated that compliance under these circumstances may be challenging for Putin, who currently enjoys an advantageous position in the ongoing conflict. Additionally, Ukraine has firmly stated that it will not engage in ceasefire negotiations that compromise territorial integrity, particularly concerning Crimea.
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed intentions to resolve the conflict in Ukraine while maintaining a somewhat lenient stance toward Russia, which has sparked tensions during his conversations with President Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, military bloggers aligned with the Kremlin released videos depicting Russian soldiers hoisting flags in Sudzha, an area recently occupied by Ukraine after a successful incursion in August 2024.
In summary, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated with missile strikes following a proposed U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Casualties were reported in key Ukrainian cities, while the Kremlin remains wary of the ceasefire’s implications. The geopolitical landscape appears intricate, with Ukraine standing firm on territorial integrity and the U.S. backing its ally amid a cautious response from Russia.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
