Russia Claims to Stop Bombing Ukraine, But Attacks Continue
The Kremlin announced on March 18 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to a partial ceasefire in Ukraine. The agreement was made after a call between Putin and US President Donald Trump. However, despite the claim, Russia’s missile and drone attacks against Ukraine have continued.
There is some confusion about what exactly is protected by the partial ceasefire. The White House said that the leaders agreed on an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, while the Kremlin stated that Trump proposed a 30-day ceasefire on strikes to energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials were unable to clarify what would be covered by the partial ceasefire.
As of March 20, at least five civilians have been killed and 26 others injured since Putin agreed to the partial ceasefire. Ukraine’s Air Force has intercepted 75 Russian drones launched, including attack drones that have disappeared from radars before reaching their targets.
Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure continued on March 19, with homes, residential buildings, and railway infrastructure in Kropyvnytskyi being hit. Other areas affected include Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts.
Ukraine Strikes Back
Russia’s Engels-2 airbase in Saratov Oblast was successfully hit by Ukrainian drones overnight on March 20. A fire, explosions, and secondary detonations of ammunition were recorded at the airbase following the attack carried out by Ukraine’s Security Service and Special Operations Forces. The airbase hosts strategic bomber planes used for aerial strikes on Ukraine.
The situation remains unclear as Russia claims to have stopped bombing Ukraine, but attacks continue.