Donald Trump has publicly criticized Moscow following a devastating airstrike in Kyiv that resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to 'cease' such actions.
This statement comes as Trump intensifies efforts to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reportedly seeking terms that would favor Russia, including the acknowledgment of Crimea's annexation in 2014—an agreement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected.
In Washington, Trump indicated he has a personal timeline for achieving a " ceasefire", aiming for an agreement before his 100th day in office on April 30, a promise he made during his campaign to resolve the war swiftly.
The recent attack on ' Kyiv ' marked the deadliest incident of the year, with casualties including two children and over 90 injuries, as Russian forces also targeted Kharkiv and other cities.
The assault involved a barrage of drones and missiles, leading to extensive destruction and chaos throughout the night, as Ukrainian defenses attempted to intercept the incoming threats.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that rescuers managed to find one survivor amid the rubble, while President Zelenskyy mourned the loss of two young siblings among the victims.
The injured included several children and a pregnant woman, with significant damage reported across various districts due to falling debris and fires ignited by the strikes.
Russia has initiated a significant combined assault on Kyiv, as reported by Ukraine’s state emergency service via Telegram. According to Reuters, a North Korean KN-23 missile was launched at an apartment building in the Sviatoshynskyi district, with footage capturing the missile striking the structure, resulting in a large explosion.
Ukraine’s interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, announced that a major rescue operation is currently underway, involving search dogs and engineering teams.
He noted that mobile phones can be heard ringing beneath the debris, and efforts will persist until all individuals are accounted for, including two missing children.
Meanwhile, in the northeast Kharkiv region, drones were observed flying overhead, and the city experienced a barrage of missile and drone strikes throughout the night, leading to significant damage to residential areas and injuries to civilians, as highlighted by Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov.