Two powerful explosions rocked downtown Kyiv on Thursday night, shortly after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
The blasts, which Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said occurred in the Shevchenko area near the city center around 8pm local time, sent large clouds of black smoke into the air.
At least 10 people were injured in the attack, including some who were caught in the rubble when two buildings were hit, rescue officials said. Earlier, reports were reported that one person had died.
The blasts could be heard in most of the city, but a cautious Ukrainian population has largely resisted calls to move to bomb shelters, continuing to sit in restaurants and spend the night as usual.
Approximately two hours after the initial strikes, at least two more explosions were heard in the capital.
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Two explosions in the center of Kyiv tonight in the Shevchenko district
Explosions very close to the city center, the map below shows the location of the neighborhood
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is still here – his press conference was broadcast on television when explosions were heard pic.twitter.com/vFrin2xnv7
– Ashley Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) April 28, 2022
The attack came shortly after Zelensky and Guterres held a press conference in which Guterres condemned the atrocities committed by Russian soldiers in cities such as Bucha, which he toured during the day.
Read more: What happened in Bucha, Ukraine? Here’s what you need to know
Guterres also visited the devastated cities of Borodyanka and Irpin, near Kyiv, and called on Russia to “agree to cooperate” with the ongoing International Criminal Court (IRCC) war crimes investigations.
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Guterres called the war “absurd” and posted a photo of himself in front of a ruined apartment building in an undiscovered location with the caption: “War is evil.”
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War is evil. pic.twitter.com/LUKYqLTnyB
– Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 28, 2022
Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov was also in Kyiv for a meeting with Zelensky on Thursday. During Petkov’s visit, he discussed energy and logistical support with Zelenski and, according to a tweet, spoke about studying the shipment of wheat through the Bulgarian port of Varina.
Read more: Ukraine tells Russia to “stop illegal grain theft” while the war continues
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted that Russia had hit Kyiv with cruise missiles while the two high-ranking officials were in the city.
“With this heinous act of barbarism, Russia is once again demonstrating its attitude towards Ukraine, Europe and the world.
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Russia hit Kyiv with cruise missiles just as UN Secretary General @antonioguterres and Bulgarian Prime Minister @KirilPetkov visited our capital. With this heinous act of barbarism, Russia is once again demonstrating its attitude towards Ukraine, Europe and the world.
– Dmitry Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 28, 2022
Until now, Kyiv has largely avoided shelling the rest of Ukraine.
Russian troops withdrew from the area around Kyiv on March 31st after being largely stopped in surrounding areas such as Bucha, Irpen and Hostomel.
– With files from the Associated Press
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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