Russian drones batter Ukraine's Odesa as peace talks come to crux

Anticipation grows over diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine amid escalating drone attacks.

Russian drones battered the Ukrainian port city of Odesa in a night-time attack, local authorities said Tuesday (April 22, 2025), less than 24 hours after a purported Easter ceasefire unilaterally declared by Moscow ended and just over a day before Ukrainian, British, French and U.S. officials are due to meet in London to discuss the war.

Anticipation is building over whether diplomatic efforts can stop more than three years of fighting since Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbour.

Mr. Trump said last week negotiations were “coming to a head” and insisted that neither side is “playing” him in his push to end the grinding war.

This came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested last week the U.S. might soon back away from negotiations altogether if they don't progress. He spoke in Paris after talks among U.S., Ukrainian and European officials produced outlines for steps toward peace and appeared to make some long-awaited progress.

A new meeting is expected on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) in London, and Mr. Rubio suggested it could be decisive in determining whether the Trump administration continues its involvement.

Odesa came under a “massive attack” by Russian drones overnight, injuring at least three people, the head of Odesa regional administration, Oleh Kiper, wrote on his Telegram page Tuesday (April 22, 2025).

A residential building in a densely populated urban area, civilian infrastructure and an educational facility were hit, he said.