VLADIMIR Putin has just hours left to convince Donald Trump he's serious about ending the war in Ukraine - or face a punishing wave of US sanctions.

The White House's Friday deadline demands "progress" from Moscow towards reaching peace after three years of conflict.

Otherwise, Washington will slam down secondary sanctions targeting Russia's oil lifeline and key alleys like Russia and China.

But as the clock ticks, Putin appears defiant.

Overnight, Russian drones hit homes, schools, and sports facilities across Ukraine in fresh airstrikes.

Ukrainian civilians were wounded in the assault, including a 16-year-old girl in Bucha.

The town's mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk said: "We have destruction as a result of a Russian terrorist attack on our community.

"Russia is a terrorist country. The w

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