‘Vladimir, stop!’ Trump problems uncommon rebuke to Putin as Kyiv assault toll rises to 12

At least 12 folks had been killed and greater than 90 injured in Kyiv after Russia performed probably the most devastating air assaults in opposition to Ukraine for months, with Kharkiv and different towns additionally centered.

The assault drew a unprecedented rebuke of Russia from Donald Trump, who posted on social media: “Vladimir, STOP!”

Waves of drones in addition to ballistic and guided missiles struck the Ukrainian capital early on Thursday. There had been explosions for far of the night time, starting at about 1am native time, and the rattle of anti-aircraft hearth as Ukrainian defences attempted to shoot the missiles down.

Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, stated rescuers had been pulling survivors from beneath the rubble. The injured integrated six kids and a pregnant girl. A space, automobiles, and different structures had been set on hearth, with intensive harm brought about through falling particles in different districts, he stated.

“Russia has launched a massive combined strike on Kyiv,” Ukraine’s state emergency provider stated on Telegram.

Ukraine’s inner minister, Ihor Klymenko, stated a large rescue operation used to be beneath method within the Svyatoshinsky district of Kyiv, involving canines and engineering groups. “Mobile phones can be heard ringing under the ruins. The search will continue until everybody is got out. We have information about two children who cannot be found at the scene of the incident,” he added.

On Wednesday night time, drones might be observed humming within the sky above the north-east Kharkiv area and flying over a woodland. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s 2d town, used to be hit through seven missiles and 12 kamikaze drones in moves during the night time as black smoke plumed overhead.

According to Kharkiv’s mayor, a number of non-public properties, a manufacturing unit and a high-rise condominium block had been hit. “One of the most recent strikes hit a densely populated residential area. Two people were injured there,” Ihor Terekhov stated, urging folks to watch out.

On Thursday Trump posted on Truth Social: “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”

The day ahead of he had lashed out at Volodymyr Zelenskyy for failing to beef up a US “peace plan”, during which Crimea and different Ukrainian territories can be passed to Russia.

On Wednesday, Trump accused Ukraine’s president of prolonging the “killing field” and making “very harmful” statements. Zelenskyy has dominated out recognising Crimea as Russian and says a whole ceasefire is wanted ahead of any agreement can also be mentioned.

On Thursday, Zelenskyy stated he used to be reducing brief a shuttle to South Africa as a result of the assault. “It has been 44 days since Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strikes … And it has been 44 days of Russia continuing to kill our people,” Zelensky stated in a submit on X. “The strikes must be stopped immediately and unconditionally,” he added.

The Ukrainian overseas minister, Andriy Sybiga, stated Russia’s “maximalist demands for Ukraine to withdraw from its regions, combined with these brutal strikes, show that Russia, not Ukraine, is the obstacle to peace”.

He added: “Moscow, not Kyiv, is where pressure should be applied. Putin demonstrates through his actions, not words, that he does not respect any peace efforts and only wants to continue the war. Weakness and concessions will not stop his terror and aggression. Only strength and pressure will.”

Posting on social media, as Russian bombs fell round them, Ukrainians criticised Trump’s one-sided manner and his obvious indifference to Ukrainian civilian casualties. The huge assault urged the Kremlin used to be now not remotely desirous about peace, they urged.

Olga Rudenko, the editor of the Kyiv Independent newspaper, wrote on social media: “Can’t begin to explain how surreal it is to be sitting on the floor in the safest place of my apartment hearing an extremely loud Russian missile+drone attack – after having spent entire day discussing and editing coverage of the US effectively demanding Ukraine’s surrender.”

Euan MacDonald, a contract journalist, added: “Great big bang in Kyiv, and another – incoming missiles. Shaheds also in city, just heard anti-aircraft guns. And two more big bangs just as I write … Not been this noisy for a while …”

There had been additional assaults within the towns of Pavlohrad and Zhytomyr, in addition to within the Zaporizhzhia area.

In Kyiv some citizens spent a sleepless night time within the subway, which doubles as a missile safe haven. According to the photographer Kostyantyn Liberov, Shahed drones struck the similar district two times as rescuers and civilians had been looking to unfastened a tender girl who used to be trapped in a collapsed construction.

“Honey, we’ll get you out no matter what. We’re right here,” probably the most rescuers reassured her, because the loud roar of a Shahed drone buzzed overhead, Liberov reported.

The videographer Anton Shtuka, who filmed the tough rescue operation, stated: “Sometimes it looks like these strikes hit our homes because [Vladimir] Putin feels US support and begins to pressure Ukraine even more.” He added, mockingly: “Thank you, partners.”

Kyiv used to be ultimate hit through missiles in early April, when a minimum of 3 folks had been harm. It has been the objective of sporadic assaults since Russia introduced its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Andriy Yermak, the pinnacle of Zelenksyy’s place of job, stated: “Putin shows only a desire to kill. The attacks on civilians must stop.”