Escalation of Air Attacks Between Russia and Ukraine Following Key Diplomatic Call

On March 19, tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated as both nations accused one another of conducting air strikes that targeted civilian infrastructure, mere hours after a phone conversation between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump. During their discussion, Putin agreed to a limited pause in attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure but did not commit to the full 30-day ceasefire that Trump had suggested.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed his concerns as air attacks unfolded soon after the call, urging the international community to prevent Russia from prolonging the conflict. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, highlighted the immediate danger, stating that Russia was attacking civilian infrastructure and endangering lives.

Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius criticized Putin's temporary ceasefire agreement, labeling it as ineffective and suggesting that Trump needed to secure more significant concessions from Russia. He emphasized that the violence resumed almost immediately after the diplomatic exchange, indicating a lack of sincerity from the Kremlin.

Both nations reported numerous drone strikes overnight. Ukrainian authorities indicated that residential areas in the northeastern Sumy region and near the capital were hit, with significant damage reported to the power systems supplying railways in southern Ukraine. Russian officials claimed that an oil terminal in southern Russia was targeted, igniting a fire.

In Sumy, drone strikes led to damage at two hospitals, necessitating the evacuation of patients and staff, although no injuries were reported. The Kyiv region saw a 60-year-old man injured amid the chaos, with the Bucha district suffering extensive property damage, including the destruction of private homes, flats, vehicles, and commercial establishments.

Ukrainian sources reported that Russia unleashed over 40 drones shortly after the Trump-Putin call, while the Ukrainian military claimed a total of 145 drones were launched, with air defenses managing to intercept 72 of them. The military also identified that the attacks spanned multiple regions, including Sumy, Odesa, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, and Chernihiv.

On the Russian side, the defense ministry announced the destruction of 57 Ukrainian drones, although they did not specify the total number launched by Ukraine. In a related incident, a Ukrainian drone reportedly triggered a minor fire at an oil depot in the Krasnodar region, leading to an evacuation of workers.

To maintain air safety, Russia's aviation authority temporarily suspended flights from several airports during the night, further indicating the heightened state of alert in the region.