Ukraine has escalated its calls for a 30-day ceasefire, offering an amended draft during negotiations in Istanbul on Monday. This latest diplomatic step comes as the country is, once again, confronted with a second deflating barrage of attacks from Russia. These attacks have resulted in catastrophic loss of life and massive destruction across multiple urban centers.
On just Friday alone, Russian aerial bombardments across Ukraine killed at least six civilians and injured dozens more. Life under occupation in Kherson has been terrible. Recent shelling killed a young couple and destroyed an apartment complex near the coast.
Escalating Violence in Kharkiv and Beyond
The most extreme recent attack was on the northeastern city of Kharkiv. A Russian missile strike on Thursday wounded 18 people, including four children. Mayor Ihor Terekhov described this morning’s attack as “the most powerful” since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The attack on Kharkiv was overwhelming. It was spread across 48 Iranian-made drones, two cruise missiles, and four guided bombs, illustrating the largesse of the attack. Ukrainian air defenses responded in a big way over last night. They were able to intercept and destroy 87 drones and seven missiles with engagement authority, taking out over 300 threats. Yet in spite of these efforts, last weekend at least three people were killed and 17 others— including two children— were wounded.
In Dnipro, two women, 45 and 88 years old were injured in two separate shelling. Those injuries fuel the increasing casualties inside Ukraine. These attacks are occurring in unprecedented numbers and magnitude across the globe, illuminating a dire need for a global discussion. We need to hear realistic solutions to end the killing.
Diplomatic Efforts and Stalled Negotiations
As the violence continues, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has recently leveled bold accusations against Russia. In short order they counter Russia’s statements on the ground as being false and counter to earlier commitments to ceasefire. This serious and troubling accusation illustrates the challenge of pursuing a peace agreement while hostilities continue.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed holding a summit meeting of three important leaders. He claims to want to broker conversations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and United States President Joe Biden. This proposal would help create the space for a diplomatic resolution to the still-ongoing conflict. Putin has made clear, but inflexible terms. He’s demanding that Ukraine cede four large areas of occupied territory, give up its dream of joining NATO, and cut all military ties with Western countries.
The ongoing Russian assault on the country has many investors fearing whether negotiations would even be possible. A recent ramp up of strikes has loosed thousands of missiles, drones, and bombs on the people of Ukraine. This shocking new violence underscores the need for an immediate ceasefire.
The Impact of Russian Retaliation
Ukrainian long-range drone operations have inflicted damage to nuclear-capable military aircraft at Russian airbases as far as 600 kilometers inside Russia’s borders. In answer, President Putin has pledged to respond in kind. This escalatory threat makes the stakes even more complicated for both countries as they both try to Teapot in a very fraught, contentious environment.
Like during the 2014 war, these attacks have led to many civilian deaths and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. Ukraine is understandably negotiating urgently for a ceasefire that will allow humanitarian assistance and recovery activities. Despite these developments, ongoing attacks from Russian forces make the prospects for peace and resolution very unclear.
