Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Russia Intensifies Drone Attacks on Ukraine Amidst Peace Talk Doubts
Kyiv has accused Moscow of orchestrating a severe wave of drone strikes across Ukraine, deliberately targeting civilian populations in what Ukrainian officials are calling a merciless offensive. This escalation, according to Kyiv, underscores Russia’s apparent disinterest in pursuing peaceful resolutions to the ongoing conflict.
Zelenskyy Dismisses Russian Claims of Ceasefire Readiness
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted today that the latest Russian attacks on Kharkiv and Dnipro expose the hollowness of Moscow’s purported readiness for a ceasefire. Zelenskyy stated that Russia’s actions contradict claims made to figures like Donald Trump, suggesting that any talk of de-escalation from Moscow is insincere.
Paris Summit Seeks to Bolster Ukrainian Security
President Zelenskyy is currently in Paris to engage with European leaders in a summit focused on reinforcing Ukraine’s security. The summit aims to define security assurances that Europe can pledge to Ukraine in anticipation of a potential cessation of hostilities with Russia.
Discussions are centered on establishing the framework for European security guarantees, potentially including the deployment of military personnel under a ‘coalition of the willing’ arrangement, once a ceasefire agreement is reached.
Zelenskyy conveyed his anticipation for ‘strong decisions’ to emerge from the summit. The meeting also includes prominent figures such as Sir Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who convened earlier in the day before the main conference.
Accusations of Derailing Peace Negotiations
Both Ukrainian and Russian authorities have traded accusations, each alleging that the other is actively attempting to undermine any prospective initial peace accord.
French President Emmanuel Macron pointed to Russia’s rejection of a US-Ukraine proposed 30-day ceasefire, stating that Moscow is prolonging the conflict. Macron asserted that Russia ‘wants this war to continue’.
‘We must apply pressure on Russia to bring an end to the war,’ President Macron declared, as he prepared to host European counterparts for discussions that the Kremlin has openly dismissed.
Civilian Areas Hit in Relentless Drone Barrage
The overnight drone attacks, suspected to be carried out using Iranian-designed Shahed drones, reportedly targeted civilian zones. Initial reports indicate at least 11 individuals were injured in Kharkiv, including a 14-year-old child.
President Zelenskyy further reported that a 12-year-old girl was among those wounded in the bombardment.
Eyewitness video footage depicted football players in Kharkiv fleeing in terror as a drone detonated nearby. Multiple drone strikes ignited fires across four separate locations.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov detailed the damage, stating, ‘Multi-story residential buildings, vehicles, outbuildings, and infrastructure were damaged.’
Dnipro also sustained Shahed drone strikes, resulting in injuries to three individuals, including two elderly women aged 78 and 75.
Zelenskyy Uses Ceasefire to Expose Putin’s Stance
President Zelenskyy confirmed agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire, partly to demonstrate the insincerity of Putin’s claims to Donald Trump and Middle Eastern leaders regarding Russia’s readiness for peace.
He recounted being told ‘in private conversations, that Putin is prepared for a ceasefire, an unconditional one, and that Ukraine is obstructing the war’s end.’
‘Russian propaganda has been effective in disseminating the narrative that Ukraine is against peace.’
Zelenskyy added, ‘Through these steps, I have unequivocally shown our openness to a ceasefire. It will now become evident that Putin is not genuinely willing to cease hostilities.’
Ukrainian Strike on Russian Airbase Claims Significant Missile Losses
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched a substantial aerial assault overnight, deploying 86 drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile. Ukrainian forces claim to have intercepted 42 drones, with a further 26 reportedly missing their intended targets, possibly due to electronic countermeasures.
Conversely, Moscow stated it detected and neutralized only a single Ukrainian drone over its Bryansk region, marking a notably low number of Ukrainian drone incursions in recent months.
Kyiv announced today that a recent attack on a Russian air force storage facility resulted in the destruction of cruise missiles valued at hundreds of millions of pounds.
Ukraine claims almost 100 cruise missiles were destroyed in the strike on Engels-2 airbase, situated approximately 375 miles from Ukrainian-controlled territory, attributing the strike’s success to long-range drones.
Prior intelligence suggested that Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles were stockpiled at the airbase.
Ukrainian evaluations estimate the financial setback to Russia’s military capabilities to be between £450 million and £820 million.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces released an update stating, ‘Updated information regarding the strike on Engels-2 on March 20, 2025, indicates that the enemy suffered the loss of 96 air-launched cruise missiles as a result of the primary and secondary detonations.’
‘These armaments were intended for executing three missile attacks during March and April of this year.’
Furthermore, ‘Strikes on storage sites led to the destruction of substantial reserves of aviation fuel, thereby negatively impacting the Russian aggressor’s capacity for combat operations.’
Engels-2 airbase serves as a primary base for Russia’s strategic nuclear-capable Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers, platforms utilized for launching Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles against Ukraine throughout the war.
Video evidence depicted massive flames and a significant mushroom cloud following the strike on the airbase storage facility.
Reports indicate that debris from the missile explosions scattered across a radius exceeding three miles.
Secondary explosions reportedly continued for several days post-strike.
The Russian Federation has not officially commented on the reported missile losses.
Following the strike, Russia has reportedly shifted its focus towards employing drones rather than cruise missiles in attacks against Ukraine.
British defense intelligence assessed two days prior that this strike represented Ukraine’s most impactful operation against Russian munitions depots thus far in the current year.