Breaking News: Violent explosions in Kyiv

Representatives of Russia and Ukraine had just met for the first time for peace talks – apparently without any major breakthrough.

Shortly after the conclusion of the round of negotiations there were violent explosions in Kyiv, and the city of Kharkiv is said to be under heavy fire.

According to media reports, shortly after the end of the first round of peace negotiations between Russians and Ukrainians there were at least two large explosions in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

The Unian news agency and other media reported at least three impacts from Kharkiv. Air alerts were also raised in other regional capitals. Unian also released a video showing a large fireball in the Kyiv evening sky.

In the evening, the first round of talks between negotiators from Ukraine and Russia came to an end. An adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky said there could be further negotiations soon. He said nothing about the content of the talks.

Fierce fighting also continued in other places in Ukraine on Monday. At least 11 people were killed in attacks in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, according to local authorities. Dozens of people were injured, regional manager Oleh Synyehubov wrote on Facebook.

“What is happening in Kharkiv is a war crime! This is the genocide of the Ukrainian people.” Videos showed several rocket hits in a residential area. Kharkiv is the second largest city in the country.

At least 352 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed nationwide since Russia’s war against Ukraine began, according to the Health Ministry. There are also at least 1,700 wounded civilians, including 116 children. The figures were published on Sunday.