A "two week" deadline imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to see if Russia is serious about peace in Ukraine has been and gone, with Moscow's escalation of attacks on civilians during this period failing to draw the slightest condemnation from the White House.

The assault continued Moscow’s stepped-up drone and missile attacks, which have been ratcheting up for months with nightly bombardments on regions and cities in Ukraine.

The latest large-scale drone and missile attack struck the capital city, Kyiv, and the southern port city of Odesa.