Russian Drone Strikes Kill Two in Odesa Ahead of Orthodox Easter Ceasefire

Russian drone attacks killed at least two people and wounded two others in the city of Odesa, Ukraine, overnight leading into Saturday, according to local authorities. The attack struck residential neighborhoods in the strategic Black Sea port, damaging apartment buildings, houses, and a kindergarten.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 160 drones across Ukraine over the night, of which 133 were intercepted or destroyed. The strikes came just hours before a proposed ceasefire for Orthodox Easter was set to begin. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter, instructing his forces to halt hostilities from 4 p.m. Saturday through the end of Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged on Saturday that Ukraine would observe the ceasefire, but warned of a swift military response to any violations.

Previous ceasefire efforts have largely failed, with both sides frequently accusing each other of noncompliance. Still, Ukrainian authorities emphasized the symbolic importance of an Easter truce, hoping it might provide momentum for renewed peace efforts and prevent further attacks on critical civilian infrastructure.

On Saturday, a prisoner exchange took place, returning 175 Russian soldiers and 175 Ukrainian service members along with seven civilians to their respective countries. According to President Zelenskyy, most of the Ukrainian returnees had been held in captivity since 2022. The humanitarian exchange occurred at an undisclosed location in northern Ukraine, with family members anxiously awaiting the arrival of loved ones.

Separately, Russian state media reported that seven residents of Russia's Kursk region, previously captured by Ukrainian forces during an incursion in August 2024, were returned from Ukraine. Russian human rights officials met the returnees at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. The Kursk incursion marked the first time since World War II that Russian territory was occupied by foreign forces.

As of Saturday evening, the ceasefire was set to begin, but tensions remained high following the deadly attacks and ongoing exchanges. Investigations are underway in Odesa, where authorities continue to assess the damage and casualties from the latest drone strikes.