Russia accused Ukraine of violating a proposed ceasefire on energy sites by attacking a Russian oil depot. The ceasefire, which was brokered by the United States, was meant to last 30 days, but Moscow claims Kyiv disregarded the agreement. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the U.S., questioning how Washington would respond to Ukraine’s alleged actions. Meanwhile, firefighters in southern Russia were struggling to contain a blaze at the oil depot, reportedly caused by a Ukrainian drone strike.
The Kremlin stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to the truce during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, the agreement fell short of a broader ceasefire proposal the U.S. had pushed for, which Ukraine had accepted. Despite Russia’s accusations, Ukraine has not officially acknowledged violating the ceasefire. Instead, the conflict between the two countries continues to escalate, with drone attacks intensifying on both sides.
On the night of Friday (21 March), Russia launched a large-scale drone assault on Ukraine, deploying 214 Shahed-type attack drones along with various decoys. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, 114 of these drones were successfully shot down over the south, north, and central regions. Additionally, 81 enemy imitator drones were neutralized, preventing further damage. The attack targeted multiple regions, leading to widespread destruction and emergency responses.
Odesa suffered the most from the Russian assault, experiencing large-scale fires that engulfed a shopping center, shops, and a high-rise building. The strikes also triggered emergency power outages, disrupting daily life for residents. Other affected areas included the Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, and Kyiv regions, where infrastructure damage was reported. As both nations continue their attacks despite ceasefire discussions, the prospects for peace remain uncertain.
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