Russia launched its deadliest wave of attacks against Ukraine’s capital in nine months early Thursday, hours after US President Donald Trump accused Volodymyr Zelensky of harming peace talks in a fresh tirade against his Ukrainian counterpart.

Russia accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday of wrecking diplomacy aimed at reaching a peace deal after he refused this week to agree to recognise Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Donald Trump launched a new attack on Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday night, blasting the Ukrainian leader for “inflammatory statements” that he claimed were undermining peace talks – after Zelensky reiterated that he would not recognise Russian control of occupied Ukrainian territories.

While Zelenskyy was traveling, a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack hit Kyiv, killing nine people and injuring another 63, including six children, Ukrainian authorities said.