Fri Mar 21 18:10:35 UTC 2025: ## Russian Drones Attack Odesa Despite Ceasefire Agreement
**KYIV, Ukraine (March 21, 2025)** – Russian drone strikes hit the Ukrainian port city of Odesa on Friday, injuring three people and causing significant fires, despite a recently agreed-upon temporary halt to attacks on energy facilities. The attacks, which targeted civilian infrastructure and commercial facilities, resulted in local power outages in three districts.
The assault came hours before Czech President Petr Pavel visited Odesa, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict. Odesa regional head Oleh Kiper reported multiple blazes and extensive damage, with over 70 people and 20 fire engines deployed to extinguish the fires.
The attacks follow a limited ceasefire agreement reached on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, disagreements remain regarding the scope of the agreement. While the White House stated that “energy and infrastructure” are included, the Kremlin narrowed it to “energy infrastructure,” with Zelenskyy advocating for the protection of railways and ports as well. Technical talks are scheduled in Saudi Arabia to clarify these discrepancies.
Russia accused Ukraine of blowing up a gas facility in the Kursk region, an allegation Ukraine vehemently denies. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the action was a “deliberate provocation,” while Ukraine’s military attributed it to Russian shelling as part of a “discrediting campaign.”
In a separate incident, Russian glide bombs injured at least six people, including a child, in the Zaporizhzhia region. The Ukrainian air force reported intercepting or jamming a significant number of the 214 drones and decoys launched by Russia in these latest attacks. Russia also reported intercepting Ukrainian drones. A major oil depot fire in the Krasnodar region, ignited by a Ukrainian drone attack on Wednesday, continues to burn.
President Zelenskyy called for increased international pressure on Russia, emphasizing that stronger sanctions and defense support are crucial to ending the ongoing conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia is adhering to the agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days. The situation remains tense, with both sides continuing to accuse each other of violating the terms of the fragile ceasefire.
First Piper 