Kyiv – AFP
Four explosions were heard in the early hours of Sunday morning in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as they hit an apartment complex near the city center, sparking a fire and emitting a large cloud of gray smoke.
The explosions occurred around 06:30 (0330 GMT), half an hour following anti-aircraft sirens were sounded in the capital, which has not been subjected to Russian bombardment for nearly three weeks.
No information was immediately available on possible casualties, and a whistling sound was heard before the explosions occurred.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said on Telegram: “There are several explosions in the Shevchenkivsky district,” which stretches from the city center to the northwest of the capital. “Ambulances and rescue workers are at the site and operations are being conducted to rescue and evacuate residents in two buildings,” he added.
Thick smoke was seen rising in the affected residential area, which was cordoned off by police.
At the end of April, a Ukrainian journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was killed when a Russian missile hit her house in Kyiv, and the explosion occurred in conjunction with the first visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Kiev.