Ukraine-Russia war latest: Easter ceasefire in doubt after four killed in Russian drone strikes
Deadly Russian airstrikes have continued overnight ahead of the start of a ceasefire to mark Orthodox Easter, heightening scepticism about the truce deal.
Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a 32-hour ceasefire beginning at 4pm on Saturday and ending at midnight on Sunday, after the truce was initially proposed by Ukraine.
But the announcement was followed by a new wave of Russian strikes, killing one civilian at a cafe in Poltava and injuring 14 people across residential areas of Sumy, including an 87-year-old woman and a teen boy.
Two people were killed and two injured in attacks on Odesa, and another person was killed in Dobropillia.
A similar ceasefire was declared for Orthodox Easter last year, but marred by repeated violations. In Kyiv, Ukrainians were sceptical about whether the ceasefire would be observed, with one calling it a “fairytale”.
Meanwhile, Russia’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev is in the US to meet members of president Donald Trump’s administration. Discussions will cover a peace deal for Ukraine and US-Russia economic cooperation, according to officials aware of the matter.
