Russia Strikes Odesa, Zaporizhzhia as Peace Talks Stall/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russia launched new attacks on Ukraine’s Odesa and Zaporizhzhia Tuesday. Kremlin downplayed hopes for quick peace talks resolution. Western leaders to meet in London to discuss Ukraine diplomacy.
Russia Strikes Ukrainian Cities as Kremlin Dampens Peace Talk Expectations: Quick Looks
- Escalation in Attacks: Russian drones and glide bombs hit Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, injuring civilians and damaging infrastructure.
- Casualties Reported: At least one woman was killed and 24 people injured in Zaporizhzhia, including children.
- Kremlin Warning: Russia said no quick breakthrough should be expected from upcoming peace talks.
- Western Diplomacy: Officials from the U.S., UK, France, and Ukraine are set to meet Wednesday in London to assess progress.
- Trump’s Position: President Trump claims negotiations are “coming to a head,” but Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned U.S. support could end without progress.
- Drone Assaults Continue: Ukraine reported 54 Shahed and decoy drones fired overnight as Russia refines its air tactics.
- Civilian Target Debate: Russia insists some civilian targets are legitimate military sites if used by Ukraine’s forces.
- No Ceasefire Evidence: Despite Putin’s recent unilateral ceasefire declaration, Ukraine reports over 2,900 Russian violations.
Russia Strikes Odesa, Zaporizhzhia as Peace Talks Stall
Deep Look
KYIV, Ukraine (April 22, 2025) — Russia intensified its assault on southern Ukraine early Tuesday, launching a wave of drone strikes on Odesa and deploying powerful aerial glide bombs in Zaporizhzhia, even as top diplomats prepare to discuss stalled peace negotiations in London.
Ukrainian officials reported a “massive” Russian drone assault on the Black Sea port city of Odesa overnight, injuring at least three people and damaging a residential building, an educational facility, and other infrastructure. Hours later, Russian bombs struck Zaporizhzhia, killing a 69-year-old woman and injuring 24 others, including four children, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov.
The attacks come just one day before senior diplomats from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine are scheduled to meet in London to assess the feasibility of peace negotiations, more than three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Kremlin Tempers Expectations
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that any breakthrough in peace talks would take time, calling the conflict’s resolution “too complex” for a quick fix.
“It would be wrong to set a short timeframe for a viable settlement,” Peskov said. “This issue demands careful negotiation and consideration.”
His comments come as President Donald Trump claimed that negotiations are “coming to a head,” even as Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the U.S. might soon pull out of diplomatic talks if progress is not made.
Rubio emphasized that Wednesday’s meeting in London could be a decisive moment for America’s continued involvement in the peace process.
Drone Warfare Escalates
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 54 Shahed drones and decoys overnight — a sharp escalation in long-range aerial assaults that have become a hallmark of Russia’s strategy to terrorize civilians and test Ukraine’s air defenses.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) noted that Russia is expanding production of the Iranian-designed Shahed drone and refining their use for targeted strikes.
Civilian Infrastructure in the Crosshairs
As criticism grows over Russian strikes on non-military buildings, Peskov reiterated the Kremlin’s claim that civilian infrastructure used for military purposes is a legitimate target.
“If a military meeting is held in a school or hospital, does it remain a civilian facility?” he asked, highlighting what he described as “nuances” in targeting decisions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has continued to push for protections of non-combatants and infrastructure, offering to reciprocate Putin’s Saturday ceasefire declaration, but claims Russia violated it over 2,900 times.
The Associated Press could not independently verify the existence of a functional ceasefire along the nearly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line.
Next Phase of the War Looms
Both sides appear to be preparing for the next major phase of the war, with Ukrainian and Western officials confirming that spring-summer military campaigns are in the works. With battlefield momentum currently favoring Russia, analysts suggest Moscow has little incentive to make diplomatic concessions.
As the humanitarian toll climbs and peace remains elusive, the international community is watching closely to see whether this week’s diplomatic efforts offer any meaningful path forward.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.