Ukraine slams Russia's 'unprecedented' air attacks
Ukraine said "unprecedented" air attacks had rocked its capital and other areas early on Thursday, a day after it reached an agreement with Russia to extend a deal allowing grain exports across the Black Sea. The deal, a rare example of cooperation between the warring sides, was welcomed by the United Nations and the United States, though both called for more certainty over the exports as Russia has threatened to end the pact, which is crucial to global food security. But doubts about the viability of the deal were quickly raised after Ukraine accused Russia of launching an extraordinary series of air attacks on Kyiv and other regions early on Thursday. "A series of air attacks on Kyiv, unprecedented in their power, intensity and variety, continues," said Serhii Popko, head of Kyiv's civil and military administration, adding that no casualties had been reported in the capital. Ukraine's army reported several explosions in Kyiv's Desnyansky district and said a fire had broken out at a business in the city's Darnytskyi neighbourhood as a result of falling debris. The military also reported "cruise missile" attacks in the central Vinnytsia region, and local media reported explosions in Khmelnytskyi, about 100 kilometres further west. Kyiv's anti-aircraft defences were working, according to Popko, who urged people to stay in bomb shelters. The grain deal came after China's special envoy in Kyiv met Ukraine's foreign minister. (AFP)