PUTIN'S CRUEL BLITZ

RUSSIA launched its deadliest missile attack on Kyiv in almost a year yesterday, killing at least 12 people.

- BY CHRIS HUGHES

The overnight onslaught came hours after Donald Trump laid into Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's refusal to give up Crimea.

Soon after the attack, US President Mr Trump posted on his social media app: "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing."

Addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin, he wrote: "Vladimir, stop! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal done!"

The barrage was so intense that in neigh-bouring Poland, NATO planes were scrambled on high alert to defend against a possible Russian missile attack.

Strikes from ballistic missiles and drones put 43 people in hospital, including six children, with some left missing beneath rubble in Ukraine's capital. Last night emergency workers continued to search for survivors among the wreckage of buildings.

Russia fired 70 missiles and almost 150 strike drones according to President Zelensky, who cut short his trip to South Africa to return to his home country after hearing the news.

WARHEAD