Russian drone strikes killed at least two people and wounded two others in the Ukrainian city of Odesa overnight as the region awaited a proposed ceasefire for Orthodox Easter, local authorities reported.
The drones targeted a residential area in the Black Sea port city, damaging apartment buildings, houses, and a kindergarten.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched approximately 160 drones during the night, of which Ukrainian forces intercepted or destroyed 133. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported shooting down 99 Ukrainian drones over Russia and occupied Crimea.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a 32-hour ceasefire to begin at 4 p.m. Saturday and last through the end of Sunday, coinciding with the Orthodox Easter weekend. The ceasefire order directs Russian forces to halt hostilities during this period.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged adherence to the ceasefire and called it an opportunity for peace initiatives. However, he warned of a swift military response to any violations, reflecting cautious optimism about the truce’s durability.
Prisoner Exchange Advances Amid Ceasefire
On Saturday, a prisoner swap returned 175 Russian soldiers and seven civilians to Russia. Ukraine’s president confirmed the exchange, noting most had been in captivity since 2022.
The exchange is among the few tangible outcomes of months-long, U.S.-brokered negotiations, despite no progress on core conflict issues that continue to fuel the war. In a separate development, seven Russian residents from the Kursk region were returned to Russia after being captured by Ukrainian forces during previous fighting.
Why it matters
The drone strikes underscore the ongoing hostilities even as both sides prepare for a temporary ceasefire, highlighting the fragile nature of such agreements in the longstanding conflict. The prisoner exchange represents a rare moment of cooperation but does not resolve deeper disputes prolonging the war.
Background
The war between Russia and Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has featured frequent drone engagements, which have become a significant aspect of modern warfare in the region. Previous ceasefires around holidays have repeatedly failed, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in 2024 was a notable battlefield event, marking the first occupation of Russian soil since World War II and delivering a symbolic blow to Moscow.
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