Air raid alert issued in Kyiv as African leaders arrive

As African leaders arrive in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv to meet with Zelensky, an air raid alert was issued in the city and the region.

The alert came after the Ukrainian air force said several Russian Kalibr missiles had been launched from the Black Sea and were “heading north” towards Kyiv.

Russian missile attacks ramped up this week on Kyiv, Odesa, and President Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, killing several people.

Olexander Scherba, a Ukrainian diplomat has tweeted: “Sirens now. Putin welcoming African leaders in Kyiv.”

Sirens now. Putin welcoming African leaders in Kyiw.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/xx9cFqUZmo

— olexander scherba🇺🇦 (@olex_scherba) June 16, 2023

First pictures of African leaders on train to Ukraine

Below are some of the first images of the African delegation heading to Kyiv by train from Poland.

They’re expected to meet Ukrainian President Zelenksy a little later today, before travelling to St Petersburg in Russia to meet President Putin tomorrow.