An air raid alert was issued in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and the wider region as African leaders begin a visit to mediate an end to the conflict.
The alert was issued after the Ukrainian air force said several Russian Kalibr missiles had been launched from the Black Sea and were “heading north” towards Kyiv.
The Kyiv military administration later said Ukrainian forces had put air defence systems into action outside the capital and urged residents to stay in shelters.
Explosions have rocked Kyiv and air raid sirens blared as a delegation of seven African leaders began a peace mission, hoping to mediate between Ukraine and Russia. After meeting with President Zelenskyy in Ukraine, the group will head to Saint Petersburg for talks with President Vladimir Putin.
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who is in charge of Ukrainian ground forces, describes the situation in Bakhmut as “tense” and says Russia is bringing its best combat to battle.
The Kremlin says Putin is still open to any contact to discuss a resolution of what he reportedly called “the Ukrainian problem”.
Delegation of African leaders arrives in Ukraine
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Ukraine as part of a delegation of African leaders and senior officials seeking ways to end Russia’s 15-month war there.
Ramaphosa’s press service said he was met by a Ukrainian special envoy and South Africa’s ambassador at a rail station near Bucha outside Kyiv.
The delegation will travel to St Petersburg later in the day and plans to meet with President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.
The delegation also includes senior officials from Zambia, Senegal, Uganda, Egypt, the Republic of the Congo and the Comoro Islands.
