Ukraine Endures Over 100 Russian Drone Attacks: Odesa and Donetsk Hit, Ceasefire Proposals Rejected by Russia

On May 12, Russia launched 108 drones, including Shahed-type and decoys, across Ukraine. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 55 drones, while 30 decoys failed to hit targets. The attacks caused damage in Odesa and Donetsk, injuring civilians and damaging infrastructure. Russia rejected a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and European allies, opting for talks without a truce. Former U.S. President Trump's ceasefire plan, suggesting Ukraine cede Crimea to Russia, faced criticism from European leaders and Ukrainian officials, who insist on no territorial concessions.

Overnight Drone Assault Across Ukraine

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched 108 drones, including Iranian-made Shahed attack drones and decoys, beginning around 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 11. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 55 of the drones across the eastern, northern, southern, and central regions of the country. An additional 30 decoy drones disappeared from radar without causing damage, likely due to electronic jamming.

The drone barrage targeted several oblasts, including Odesa, Mykolaiv, Donetsk, and Zhytomyr. In Odesa Oblast, one civilian was injured, and multiple structures were damaged, including residential buildings, an administrative office, and a fire station in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi. Emergency services responded with two vehicles and 11 firefighters to manage the aftermath.

In Donetsk Oblast, a drone strike hit railway infrastructure, injuring a train driver with shrapnel. The driver was hospitalized and is in stable condition. Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) reported continued attacks on railway infrastructure, stating that “ceasefire proposals are being ignored.”

Russia Rejects Ceasefire Proposal, Offers Talks Without Truce

The drone attacks coincided with Russia’s rejection of a 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and supported by European leaders and the United States. The ceasefire was intended to begin on May 12 to create conditions for peace talks. Instead, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, without agreeing to a truce beforehand.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russia’s willingness to engage in talks but did not specify who would represent Moscow in Istanbul. “Overall, we’re determined to seriously look for ways to achieve a long-term peaceful settlement. That is all,” Peskov said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed readiness to meet Putin in Turkey but insisted that a ceasefire must precede any negotiations. European leaders echoed this stance, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stating that a truce is a prerequisite for meaningful dialogue.

Civilian Impact and Regional Damage

The drone strikes caused widespread damage to civilian and critical infrastructure. In addition to the injuries in Odesa and Donetsk, Kherson Oblast reported over 30 settlements attacked with drones, artillery, and air strikes. Five civilians were injured, and damage was reported to apartment buildings, houses, a cellular tower, and civilian vehicles.

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian forces launched 494 attacks on 16 settlements, including over 300 drone strikes and six air strikes. Two people were injured, according to local authorities.

Emergency services across the affected regions are working to assess and repair the damage. Ukrainian officials have condemned the attacks as further evidence of Russia’s disregard for civilian lives and international calls for de-escalation.

Trump’s Ceasefire Plan Involving Crimea Draws Criticism

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a separate ceasefire plan, which includes Ukraine legally ceding Crimea to Russia. The plan, presented on April 17, does not offer Ukraine any security guarantees in return. Trump has urged Ukraine to accept Russia’s offer for direct talks “immediately,” a position that has drawn criticism from European leaders and Ukrainian officials.

French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed the idea of negotiating a ceasefire without first halting hostilities, stating, “An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations, by definition.” European leaders have emphasized that any peace process must not involve territorial concessions, particularly regarding Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Ukraine and its European allies have instead presented a ceasefire proposal that makes no territorial concessions and calls for an immediate halt to hostilities. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reiterated this position during a ministerial meeting in London, where European leaders discussed further sanctions against Russia should it continue to ignore the ceasefire call.

Russia’s Position on Ceasefire and Peace Talks

President Putin has stated that Russia is open to “serious negotiations” and does not rule out agreeing to a ceasefire during the proposed talks in Istanbul. However, he criticized the Western-backed ceasefire proposal as an “ultimatum” and accused European leaders of engaging in “anti-Russian rhetoric.”

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov indicated that Russia wants the upcoming talks to be based on the framework of the 2022 Istanbul discussions and the current battlefield situation. This approach has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials, who fear that agreeing to talks without a ceasefire could allow Russia to regroup and intensify its military campaign.

International Reactions and Sanctions Threat

European leaders have warned that Russia’s failure to accept the ceasefire will result in additional sanctions. German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius stated, “The clock is ticking. There are 12 hours until the end of the day and, if the ceasefire doesn’t stand by then, the European side will keep to the agreement” to implement further sanctions.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, speaking ahead of a Weimar+ group meeting in London, emphasized the existential nature of the conflict for Europe and announced plans for new sanctions targeting individuals and entities supporting Russia’s invasion.

References

• Russian drones attack Ukraine after the Kremlin turns down a ceasefire proposal but promises talks
• Ukraine says Russia fired barrage of drones amid calls for ceasefire, talks
• Russian attacks injure 22 in Ukraine over past 24 hours despite ceasefire calls
• Odesa region suffers Russian drone attack: Civilian wounded, infrastructure damaged (photo)
• Russia Launches Drone Strikes Across Ukraine, Effectively Rejecting Ceasefire Proposal - The Moscow Times
• Putin answers Zelensky's ceasefire proposal with drone attack
• Ex-UK home secretary: Trump unlikely to yield peace between Ukraine, Russia
• Russia-Ukraine war updates: Trump tells Ukraine to talk with Putin ‘now’
• Russia ignores May 12 ceasefire proposal, Ukraine tells allies at London meeting
• Ukraine says Russia fired barrage of drones amid calls for ceasefire, talks