On March 12, 2025, Russia attacked Ukraine cities following a U.S. ceasefire proposal. The strikes resulted in multiple casualties including at least five dead. Despite Ukraine’s acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire contingent on Russian agreement, Putin views the proposal skeptically. Globally, tensions are heightened as military actions continue alongside diplomatic efforts.
On March 12, 2025, Russia launched missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities following discussions between Ukrainian leadership and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, which had raised prospects for a ceasefire. These attacks targeted regions including Odessa, Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kyiv, and Sumy, resulting in at least five fatalities and 11 injuries, according to local media reports.
Notable incidents included two missile strikes on Kryvyi Rih that killed one woman and injured four. Additionally, a strike on an Odesa port resulted in the death of three Syrian sailors and one Ukrainian amidst wheat loading operations. Ukrainian Minister Oleksiy Kuleba reported that the deceased ranged in age from 18 to 24 and highlighted that the ship was civilian-owned.
The missile barrage involved three ballistic missiles and over 130 drones, occurring shortly after Ukraine agreed to a U.S. ceasefire proposal contingent on Russia’s agreement as well. The U.S. promised to resume intelligence sharing and security assistance to Ukraine, a move confirmed by Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence.
While there has been no official response from the Kremlin regarding the ceasefire proposal, reports indicate that President Putin views it as a potential “trap,” particularly as Russian forces are making battlefront advances. An anonymous source revealed that Putin’s position may hinder acceptance of the plan at this time. Ukraine firmly opposes any ceasefire agreement that involves relinquishing territory occupied by Russia, including the annexed Crimean Peninsula.
In parallel developments, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a commitment to ending the conflict, despite ongoing tensions with his Ukrainian counterpart, President Zelenskyy. Reports also emerged of Russian military activities, with Kremlin-aligned bloggers sharing videos of Russian soldiers raising flags in Sudzha, a town in the Kursk region occupied by Ukraine since August 2024.
The latest missile attacks by Russia on Ukraine cities underscore the fragility of the ceasefire negotiations following U.S. proposals. With significant casualties reported and tensions escalating, the likelihood of an immediate cessation of hostilities appears slim, particularly due to Putin’s reservations. The geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve as both military and diplomatic maneuvers unfold in the region.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
