Russia’s strikes on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure derail peace talks and Trump’s ceasefire initiative - ISW

The analysts reminded that the formal agreements on the temporary ceasefire, which were supposedly agreed upon following U.S. negotiations with Ukraine and Russia in Riyadh, did not include protections for civilian or non-energy critical infrastructure. Therefore, Russia has intensified its strikes on these objects in recent days, ISW noted.

In particular, overnight on March 27, Russian forces, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 86 strike drones, including Shahed drones. The Ukrainian side reported that Russian strikes damaged civilian infrastructure in Dnipro, Sumy, and Kharkiv.

On March 24, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat stated that Russia deliberately targets civilian settlements with drones to destroy infrastructure and terrorize local populations.

ISW also reminded that since the beginning of March 2025, amid discussions of temporary ceasefire conditions, Russian forces have repeatedly carried out significant strikes on civilian areas in Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; Dobropillya in Donetsk Oblast; Zolochiv in Kharkiv Oblast, and port infrastructure in Odesa.

Analysts also noted that the Trump administration previously described a complete temporary ceasefire (which Vladimir Putin has repeatedly rejected) as a "necessary step" toward achieving a lasting peace settlement.

However, continued Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, even under the guise of a ceasefire on energy infrastructure, significantly undermines the idea of establishing lasting peace in Ukraine.