Russian President Vladimir Putin has snubbed Donald Trump’s call for peace and launched deadly new strikes on Ukraine.

He launched ballistic missile hits on Kryvyi Rih – home city of President Volodymyr Zelensky – killing four civilians and injuring 17.

The wounded included a six-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy.

Zelensky slammed Putin’s strikes and renewed his call for the world to put pressure on the Kremlin leader to stop the slaughter.

‘Four people, unfortunately, were killed in this strike,’ he said. ‘All of the dead are civilians. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Everywhere in the world, such strikes are called the same: this is terror.

‘This can only be stopped by putting enough pressure on Moscow, on the Russian system, so that they are forced to abandon war and terror, and this depends on partners – on America, on Europe, on the rest of the world.’

‘The only thing that separates us from a complete and unconditional cessation of strikes is the lack of Russia’s consent to stop the war. Only world pressure can ensure such consent,’ he added.

Russia also unleashed 17 Shahed-style drones on Kharkiv within one hour, sparking fourteen explosions that thundered across the city.

Ukrainian military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko said the relentless kamikaze drone strikes on cities, which have increased during Trump’s peace moves, was Putin’s way of creating ‘the necessary effect of intimidation, fear, terror’ on Ukrainian people.

He said: ‘Russia will never stop striking the rear of Ukraine, since this is an integral part of its doctrine, and Putin’s goal is not peace, but the capture of the entire territory of our country.

‘If anyone thinks that all this can stop at once, then this will not happen until either we win or we are captured, after which the next stage of terror will begin – the genocide of the Ukrainian nation.’

Despite Putin redoubling his onslaught, Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg claimed a ceasefire is close.

‘We are looking for a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire. I think once that happens, it will be difficult to start a war again,’ he said.

‘That’s what I believe. And what we need is what I would call a technical task. A list of conditions. What the Russians want. What the Ukrainians want. I believe we are on the verge of a ceasefire.

‘But both sides have to make some concessions. Neither side is going to get everything they want.

Putin has previously targeted Zelensky’s hometown in strikes, most recently in early March.

Then, missiles smashed into a hotel where Ukrainian, British and US volunteers from a humanitarian organisation had just checked in.

Four people were killed and another 29 wounded, including a young child.

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