The Night That Odessa Burned: Russia's Brutal Attack on the Eve of Ceasefire Talks
Ukraine's Odessa city is being relentlessly assaulted by Russia.
Blame it on the dew of uncertainty, for there's no sign of a ceasefire on the horizon in Ukraine. The port city of Odessa was left reeling, in the wee hours of a pivotal day, as over a dozen explosions rippled through its heart. In the Russian city of Kursk, forces have allegedly gained ground, according to reports[1].
The moonlit city of Odessa was struck by massive Russian drone attacks, as grim messages echoed on Telegram. "Odessa is burning, Russian drones are mercilessly pummeling civilian targets," read a somber message from the head of Ukraine's presidential office, Andriy Yermak. The unsparing attacks left casualties in their wake[2].
Dispatches from the state-run broadcaster spoke of more than 15 explosions ravaging the city. Amateur footage surfaced on social media platforms, showcasing apparent hits and raging fires. Power failures left parts of the city plunged into darkness[2][3].
The southeastern city of Saporishchia endured aerial onslaughts too. Drones paid a visit, injuring at least five souls, including a child, and igniting residential buildings and cars[2].
Kursk: A Theatre of War
Over in the Russian region of Kursk, the ever-shifting sands of war appeared to favor Russia. While Kyiv's troops had seized control of various villages and even the city of Sudchia earlier in August, recent Russian advances have reclaimed some lost territory[1]. The looming specter of a ceasefire hung in the air like a suffocating shroud, but as the western world cranked up the pressure on Moscow, the prospect seemed increasingly elusive.
Ukraine has been entangled in a protracted conflict with Russia for nearly four years. As both sides expressed a willingness, in principle, to halt attacks on the enemy's energy infrastructure, the details of a possible agreement were set to be negotiated in talks with the United States on Monday[2].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the planned talks during a visit to Norway[4]. Theoptimistic "technical team" from Ukraine intended to travel to Saudi Arabia for discussions[2]. "I envision this process unfolding as follows: a meeting between Ukraine and America, followed by what the American partners refer to as 'shuttle diplomacy': a series of back-and-forth talks," Zelensky said in Oslo[4]. The US special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, hinted that talks may even run concurrently[2].
A Stepping Stone Towards Complete Peace?
The initial talks are expected to focus on a temporary cessation of hostilities about energy facilities. Such an armistice could potentially mark the first step towards a comprehensive ceasefire and the end of the vicious conflict[2]. Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy had expressed tentative support for a temporary respite in aggression on enemy territory during telephone conversations with US President Donald Trump[2].
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, called for a follow-up summit in Paris, inviting proponents of Ukraine. The objective was to solidify plans for backing Ukraine's forces and to agree on the role European forces could play in ensuring Ukraine's security, said Macron at an EU summit in Brussels[5]. The aim was to prevent a renewed Russian invasion[5].
What Lies Ahead?
The meeting in Paris aimed to build on progress made at military-level consultations in London, which engaged over two dozen European and other nations[5]. The Coalition of the Willing talks, which had previously included representatives from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Turkey in addition to heads of state and government of European NATO countries, focused on the question of whether and under what conditions European forces could contribute to the maintenance of a ceasefire, should one materialize[5]. Britain and France expressed openness to sending land forces to Ukraine, but only with the guarantee of American security in the event of escalation[5].
The EU sought to bolster its defense capabilities substantially by the end of the decade, due to the Ukraine war. The leaders of the member states resolved to make every effort to strengthen Europe's defense readiness over the next five years at their spring summit in Brussels[6]. The escalating tension with Russia necessitated immediate preparation for the possibility of a large-scale conflict, according to the European Commission[6]. The summit saw no major aid commitments for Ukraine initially[6].
A Strategic Partnership in the Making
Trump hinted at the imminent signing of a strategic partnership agreement on resources with Ukraine. "Very soon, we will finalize an agreement on the extraction of rare earths with Ukraine," Trump declared at the White House[7].
Trump had tied Ukraine's access to rare earth reserves to military aid in the early days of his presidency. The exploitation of these resources in Ukraine is considered crucial for strategic purposes and economically profitable[7]. A sizable portion of the resources is found in territories currently under Russian occupation[7].
Sources: ntv.de, chl/dpa
Enrichment Insights:
- Attack Timeline: The attack on Odessa occurred on March 20, 2025, when President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic was in the city to discuss further aid for Ukraine.
- Target Prioritization: The primary targets of the attack were civilian infrastructure, including apartment buildings, shopping centers, and enterprises.
- Causalities: At least three people were injured, and there were reports of additional casualties. First-aid was provided to the affected individuals.
- Power Losses: Local power outages occurred in some areas of Odessa, including the Prim area, following the attack.
The European Union, in response to the drone attacks on Odessa, has expressed concern and solidarity with Ukraine. Despite the brutal attack on the port city of Odessa, which was allegedly carried out by Russian forces, the details of a possible ceasefire agreement were still set to be negotiated in talks with the United States on Monday. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, lamented the ongoing violence, stating that Russian drones were mercilessly pummeling civilian targets in Odessa. The European Union, seeking to bolster its defense capabilities substantially, aimed to strengthen Europe's defense readiness over the next five years in light of the ongoing conflict with Russia.
