Kyiv, Apr 11: Russian drone strikes on Ukraine’s southern port city of Odesa killed at least two people and injured two others overnight into Saturday, according to local authorities.
The attack damaged residential buildings, houses, and a kindergarten after drones hit civilian areas.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched around 160 drones across the country overnight, with 133 reportedly shot down or intercepted.
The strikes came just hours before a proposed Orthodox Easter ceasefire was expected to take effect.
Russia’s Defence Ministry, meanwhile, claimed it had shot down 99 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and occupied Crimea during the same period.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a 32-hour ceasefire beginning Saturday afternoon and running through the end of Sunday, calling it a humanitarian gesture for the Orthodox Easter holiday.
Ukraine said it was prepared to mirror any genuine ceasefire steps and had previously suggested a pause in attacks on energy infrastructure over the holiday period.
Despite the announcement, both sides have a history of accusing each other of violating temporary truces.
Kremlin officials said Moscow remains committed to its broader demands for a long-term settlement, which continue to block progress in negotiations.
Discussions have also included the possibility of a prisoner exchange over the holiday, with officials on both sides indicating ongoing efforts, though wider US-brokered peace talks have so far failed to achieve major breakthroughs in the ongoing war. (AP)
