Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday claimed that Vladimir Putin is undermining peace initiatives.

He made this statement following a large-scale nighttime air attack that resulted in four fatalities and 21 injuries, including a pregnant woman.

The assault, which utilized 170 drones and Iranian-manufactured Shahed missiles, targeted the areas of Dnipro, Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Khmelnytskyi.

Mr Zelensky said: “Unfortunately, there is destruction in every region that was hit.

“Russia is mocking the world’s peacekeeping efforts.

“It is dragging out the war and wreaking this terror because it still does not feel any real pressure.”

He called for world leaders to help his country stand up to the Russian tyrant to force him to negotiate.

Ukraine suspects Putin is preparing a major military offensive across the front line instead of trying sincerely to meet any peace timetable.