Russia killed at least 12 people and injured 90 others in a huge attack on Kyiv early Thursday, prompting President Trump to issue a rare public critique of Moscow just hours after he lashed out at President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.

The assault was the deadliest on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, since last summer. Explosions could be heard throughout the night; clouds of smoke rose over the city as the sun came up.

One missile hit a two-story building with 12 apartments where emergency workers hunted for survivors. A five-story building next door lost all of its windows. People stood outside, staring at the damage and talking on their phones, telling loved ones that they were alive. No military target was visible nearby.

Mr. Zelensky said nearly 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and about 150 attack drones had targeted cities across the country — although Kyiv was the hardest hit.

Before cutting short a trip to South Africa, Mr. Zelensky told a news conference there that he saw no indication Russia was being pressured to agree to a cease-fire. He said with more pressure brought on Moscow, “we will be able to get closer to a complete, unconditional cease-fire.” To him, Mr. Zelensky added, Thursday’s attack on Kyiv instead appeared intended to pressure the United States.

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The assault was the deadliest on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, since last summer.CreditCredit…Brendan Hoffman for The New York Times

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