KYIV, Ukraine — At least two people died in drone attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa early Saturday morning, local officials confirmed, occurring just hours before a planned Orthodox Easter ceasefire was scheduled to start.
The overnight assault also left two others injured when drones struck residential neighborhoods in the Black Sea port, causing damage to apartment complexes, homes, and a kindergarten facility.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 160 drones against Ukrainian targets during the night, with 133 either destroyed or intercepted by defense systems, all happening as the proposed Easter truce was about to take effect.
Russian military officials stated they intercepted 99 Ukrainian drones across Russian territory and occupied Crimean areas during the same timeframe.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a 32-hour pause in fighting for the Orthodox Easter weekend, directing Russian military forces to cease operations from 4 p.m. Saturday through the end of Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Friday that Ukraine would match any ceasefire actions, after previously suggesting both nations suspend attacks on energy facilities during the Orthodox Easter period.
Past attempts at temporary ceasefires have shown limited success, with each nation claiming the other violated the agreements.
On Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized Putin’s decision as a “humanitarian” action, while noting Moscow continues pursuing a complete resolution based on its established conditions — a major obstacle that has blocked the two countries from reaching any settlement.
Officials have also mentioned the possibility of exchanging prisoners during the Easter holiday period.
Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia’s human rights representative, indicated last week that both nations were coordinating prisoner swap arrangements.
Regular prisoner exchanges have represented one of the limited positive developments from otherwise unsuccessful months-long negotiations facilitated by the United States between Moscow and Kyiv. These discussions have produced no advancement on major issues that would end Russia’s military campaign against its neighbor, which has now entered its fifth year.
