Russia launched a daytime missile attack against Kyiv on Friday with several explosions heard in the capital.

 

Air raid sirens sounded just after 11 a.m. local time.

 

Kyiv Post reporters in the center of the city heard the sounds of at least two missiles flying overhead and saw two parallel contrails, followed shortly after by explosions.

 

Mayor Vitali Klitschko said there had been an “explosion” in the Podil district of the city but gave no further details.

 

City authorities said air defenses were working and there are no reports of casualties or damage to civilians buildings.

 

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia was firing ballistic missiles at the capital and urged people to stay in shelters.

 

It later said it had destroyed six Kinzhals, six Kalibr cruise missiles and two reconnaissance drones.

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The chief of the Kyiv military administration Sergiy Popko said all were intercepted over the capital.

 

The all clear was given at 12:18.

 

The attack began shortly after an African peace delegation arrived in Kyiv which was visiting Bucha, the site of a massacre by Russian troops last year.

 

Ukraine said the attack was a "message" to the African leaders.

 

"Putin 'builds confidence' by launching the largest missile attack on Kyiv in weeks, exactly amid the visit of African leaders to our capital. Russian missiles are a message to Africa: Russia wants more war, not peace," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

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Over the weekend: Trump says Putin wants to meet ASAP to discuss ending the war; Slovak PM heads to the Kremlin on a surprise visit; and Ukraine appeals to UN after Russia accused of executing 5 POWS.

 

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