Kyiv, Ukraine — Russian drone strikes in the Ukrainian city of Odessa killed at least two people overnight Saturday, local officials said, before a proposed armistice For Orthodox Easter.
Two more people were injured in the attack on the Black Sea port city after drones struck a residential area, damaging apartment buildings, homes and a kindergarten.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, hours before the proposed Easter ceasefire was to take effect, Russia targeted Ukraine with 160 drones overnight, of which 133 were shot down or intercepted.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said 99 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight across Russia and over Crimea.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday declared a 32-hour ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter weekend, ordering the Russian military to cease hostilities from 4pm on Saturday until the end of Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Ukraine is ready to accept any ceasefire steps he had previously proposed to Russia. pause in attacks on each other energy infrastructure On the Orthodox Easter holiday.
Previous ceasefire efforts have had little effect, with both sides accusing the other of violations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday described Putin’s move as a “humanitarian” gesture, but said Moscow was focusing on a comprehensive solution based on its long-term demands — a key hurdle that has prevented the two sides from reaching an agreement.
A possible prisoner exchange during the Easter holidays has also been discussed.
Russia’s human rights ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova said last week that both sides were working on a prisoner exchange.
Periodic prisoner exchanges have been one of the few positive outcomes of what have otherwise been fruitless months US mediated talks Between Moscow and Kiev. Talks have made no progress on key issues blocking the end Russian invasion Of his neighbor, now in his fifth year.
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