Putin's 'ceasefire' — Russia continues attacks on Ukrainian civilians

The Kremlin on March 18 announced it had agreed to a U.S.-proposed partial ceasefire against certain targets in Ukraine, claiming Russian President Vladimir Putin had "responded favorably to the proposal and immediately" ordered his armed forces to halt attacks.

Despite the announcement — made after a call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump — Russian missile and drone attacks against Ukraine have continued.

There is still some confusion over what exactly is ostensibly protected by the partial ceasefire as the readouts of the call issued by the White House and the Kremlin varied in their wording.

"The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire," the White House said.

"During the conversation, Donald Trump put forward a proposal for the parties to mutually refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days," the Kremlin said.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked on March 19 if she could clarify what exactly would be covered by the ceasefire, but only told reporters to refer to the readout of the call.

"That's our understanding," she added.

The Kremlin on March 21 doubled down on its interpretation of the partial ceasefire, insisting it only applied to energy infrastructure and it was still in effect.

Despite this, Russian forces continue to bombard Ukrainian cities with missiles, drones, and artillery.

Editor's note: The Kyiv Independent is tracking Russian attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and energy infrastructure from March 19, as it is not clear if strikes launched by Russia overnight on March 18 were launched before or after Putin gave his order to the military to halt attacks.

Did Russia attack Ukraine today?

As of March 24, at least 25 civilians have been killed and 225 others injured since Putin agreed to a partial ceasefire.

Ukraine's Air Force has reportedly intercepted 521 of 949 Russian drones launched, including Shahed-type attack drones.

Another 302 drones have disappeared from radars before reaching their targets, likely acting as decoys to overwhelm Ukraine's air defenses.

Have there been any strikes on energy infrastructure reported?

Ukraine on March 21 accused Russia of deliberately attacking the Sudzha gas metering station in Kursk Oblast in an attempt to pin the blame on Kyiv.

No strikes have been reported against Ukrainian energy infrastructure since March 18.

Civilian infrastructure hit on March 24 includes, but is not limited to:

• 26 buildings including schools, a kindergarten, a hospital, and 16 residential buildings in Sumy Oblast
• 2 homes in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
• Critical infrastructure and four homes in Kherson Oblast46 reports of damage to homes, cars, outbuildings, and infrastructure facilities in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Civilian infrastructure hit on March 23 includes, but is not limited to:

• 3 homes, a warehouse, and an educational institution in Sumy Oblast
• Critical and social infrastructure, a high-rise building, 25 homes and a gas pipe in Kherson Oblast
• A medical facility, a kindergarten, an administrative building, an industrial enterprise, three apartment buildings, and a car in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
• 2 homes in Kyiv Oblast

Civilian infrastructure hit on March 22 includes, but is not limited to:

• Multiple residential buildings in Kyiv, as well as an office building and a warehouse
• 29 homes and four apartment buildings in Donetsk Oblast

Civilian infrastructure hit on March 21 includes, but is not limited to:

• Residential high-rises, houses and infrastructure facilities in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
• Social infrastructure, a residential high-rise and 7 private houses, cars and a cemetery in Kherson Oblast
• Local enterprises, 6 homes, and a power line in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Civilian infrastructure hit on March 20 includes, but is not limited to:

• Critical infrastructure, residential areas, and social facilities in Kherson Oblast
• An agricultural enterprise, and 12 homes in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
• A residential high-rise, a shopping center, and several shops in Odesa Oblast

Civilian infrastructure hit on March 19 includes, but is not limited to:

• Homes, residential buildings, and railway infrastructure in Kropyvnytskyi in Kirovohrad Oblast
• Four high-rise buildings, 18 houses, and a cellular tower in Kherson Oblast
• Six houses and a medical clinic in Kharkiv Oblast
• One apartment building, one house, and a shopping center in Sumy Oblast
• Twenty-six reports of damage to cars, apartments, private houses, outbuildings, and infrastructure facilities in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Did Ukraine attack Russia today?

Russia's Engels-2 airbase in Saratov Oblast was successfully hit by Ukrainian drones overnight on March 20, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed for the Kyiv Independent.

A fire, explosions, and secondary detonations of ammunition were recorded at the airbase following the attack carried out by the SBU and the Special Operations Forces, the source said.

The Engels-2 military airbase hosts strategic bomber planes regularly used for aerial strikes on Ukraine.

Russia’s Engels airbase ablaze after Ukrainian drone strike, Kyiv says

The Russian cities of Saratov and Engels were targeted in the heaviest drone attack against Saratov Oblast throughout the entire full-scale war overnight on March 20, Governor Roman Busargin claimed, reporting a fire at a local airfield.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek