What did 21 March 2025 follow in Ukraine's war and diplomacy?
A look back at the days before 21 March 2025, when drone strikes, ceasefire accusations and the death of Ukraine's first prime minister framed public life.
What was the mood in Kyiv on 21 March 2025? The preceding days, as reported at the time, combined mourning, accusations over a partial ceasefire and continued drone warfare.
On 19 March 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia was trying to discredit the peace negotiations led by U.S. President Donald Trump. He spoke after Russian forces launched drone attacks on Kyiv overnight, following talks between the United States and Russia.
The same day, the Russian Ministry of Defense said Ukraine had violated the energy infrastructure ceasefire reached by Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moscow pointed to a drone attack on an oil depot in Krasnodar Krai.
Strikes continue on 20 March
On 20 March 2025, Russia launched a massive drone attack on Odesa. Civilians were injured and civilian infrastructure was damaged.
That day there were also reports of massive explosions after a Ukrainian Armed Forces drone strike on the Engels-2 air base in Russia. Reports indicated that nearby houses were damaged by the blasts.
A national loss
Also on 20 March 2025, Vitold Fokin died at the age of 92. He was the first prime minister of modern-day Ukraine. Zelenskyy mourned him, describing a sense of loss for all Ukrainians.
Taken together, these reports show how diplomacy and fighting ran side by side as 21 March 2025 began: a ceasefire on energy infrastructure was being contested by both sides, strikes hit cities and bases, and the country marked the passing of a figure from its earliest period of statehood.
