Russia Strikes Ukraine Amid Ceasefire Proposal from U.S.
On March 12, 2025, Russia bombarded several Ukrainian cities after Ukraine accepted a U.S. ceasefire proposal. The attacks resulted in five deaths and at least eleven injuries. While the U.S. intends to lift intelligence-sharing pauses, Russia perceives the ceasefire as a potential trap amid ongoing advances in the conflict.
On March 12, 2025, Russia launched missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities, including Odessa, Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kyiv, and Sumy, killing at least five people and injuring over eleven. This assault occurred shortly after discussions between Ukrainian officials and U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia had raised hopes for a ceasefire. Local media reports documented the human toll of these attacks extensively.
Two missile strikes in Kryvyi Rih killed one woman and wounded four individuals, while an earlier strike on Odessa port resulted in the deaths of three Syrian sailors and one Ukrainian. Ukraine’s Minister of Community and Territorial Development highlighted the civilian nature of the ship involved, stating, “The youngest of the deceased was 18, and the oldest was 24”.
These missile strikes, which included three ballistic missiles and over 130 drones, came after Ukraine accepted a U.S. proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire contingent on Russian agreement. The U.S. plans to resume intelligence sharing and security assistance once Russia reciprocates.
While there has been no official statement from the Kremlin regarding the ceasefire proposal, sources suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin perceives it as a tactical trap and is hesitant to accept. A source mentioned, “It is difficult for Putin to agree to this in its current form” due to Russia’s favorable position on the battlefield.
Ukraine remains staunch against any ceasefire that involves conceding territory seized by Russia, including the Crimea region, which was annexed in 2014. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed intentions to terminate the ongoing war, despite exhibiting a tendency to sympathize with Russia.
Additionally, Kremlin-affiliated military bloggers circulated videos showing Russian soldiers in control of the town of Sudzha, previously occupied by Ukraine since August 2024 following a successful military operation.
The recent missile attacks by Russia on multiple Ukrainian cities following a potential ceasefire raise concerns about the prospects for peace in the region. The U.S. has offered a ceasefire proposal contingent on Russian compliance, yet skepticism from Moscow indicates challenges ahead. Furthermore, the geopolitical implications surrounding territorial claims complicate any resolution as both parties maintain strong positions.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
