LONDON -- In a devastating turn of events, a Russian missile strike on several districts in Kyiv on April 24, 2025, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 12 lives and injuries to over 100 individuals, as reported by Ukrainian officials. The attack, recognized as one of the deadliest in recent months, occurred during a time of crucial negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing war. In response to the missile strikes, former President Donald Trump publicly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the violence, stating emphatically on social media, "Vladimir, STOP!"

Trump expressed his discontent with the strikes, labeling them unnecessary and poorly timed. He revealed that approximately 5,000 soldiers are dying each week and urged for a peace deal to be finalized. When questioned by a reporter at the White House about whether he believed Putin would heed his calls, Trump replied confidently, "I do, yeah." His statements reflect a sense of urgency regarding the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was attending a press conference in South Africa during the attack, condemned the strike as one of the war's most "intense and brazen." He emphasized the need for global awareness of the situation, stating, "It is extremely important that everyone around the world sees and understands what is really happening." Notably, he reported that nearly 70 missiles were launched, alongside about 150 attack drones targeting civilian areas, raising concerns over the scale and intensity of the assault.

Following the attack, Zelenskyy revealed that preliminary reports suggested a ballistic missile involved in the onslaught may have been manufactured in North Korea. He elaborated that if confirmed, this would further highlight the troubling alliance between Russia and Pyongyang, which has allegedly supplied over 12,000 ground troops to assist Russia in the ongoing conflict.

Among the injured, at least 12 children were reported, as stated by Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's City Military Administration. Twenty-five residential buildings suffered damage during the assault, prompting swift rescue operations as first responders worked tirelessly to search for survivors amidst the debris. As Ukrainian defense officials reported, the Ministry of Defense noted, "Overnight, Russia held a massive attack on Ukraine. Cruising missiles, drones, ballistic weapons -- yet another strike on peaceful cities and Ukrainian homes."

In a confirmation of the attacks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian military was executing orders aimed at military and near-military targets. However, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense countered that these attacks demonstrated a clear disregard for peace, asserting, "These attacks are yet another confirmation -- Russia is not seeking peace. It continues to kill Ukrainians."

In the aftermath of this tragic incident, Kyiv's mayor has declared Friday, April 25, a day of mourning in honor of the victims of the attack. In addition to Kyiv, Russia also targeted several other regions including Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia during the early hours of Thursday, further escalating tensions across the country.

The European Union's high representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, criticized the Russian government on social media, stating, "While claiming to seek peace, Russia launched a deadly airstrike on Kyiv. This isn't a pursuit of peace; it's a mockery of it. The real obstacle is not Ukraine but Russia, whose war aims have not changed." The international community watches closely as the situation unfolds, with calls for peace growing louder amidst the ongoing violence.

ABC News' Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report.