EXPLOSIONS ROCK KYIV AS AFRICAN DELEGATION VISITS UKRAINE

African delegation visit a site of a mass grave, in the town of Bucha, outside of Kyiv, Ukraine.

Fri 16 June 2023:

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.

African leaders visit a site of a mass grave in the town of Bucha

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema, Senegal's President Macky Sall, President of the Union of Comoros Azali Assoumani, SA President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egypt's PM Mustafa Madbuly visit a site of a mass grave. pic.twitter.com/gGmNzjK84Q

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) June 16, 2023

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Ukraine as part of a delegation of African leaders and senior officials seeking ways to end Kyiv’s 15-month war.

Ramaphosa’s press service said that he was met by a Ukrainian special envoy and South Africa’s ambassador at a rail station near Bucha.

The delegation will travel to St. Petersburg later on Friday and meet with President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

The African delegation also includes senior officials from Zambia, Senegal, Uganda, Egypt, the Republic of the Congo and the Comoro Islands.

Situation in east Ukraine ‘tense’: Commander

Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of Ukraine Ground Forces, says the situation in the east of the country remains “tense” and that plans need to be adjusted.

On Telegram, Syrskyi said, “Despite the advance of our troops in the south and the loss of territory and settlements in this direction, the enemy continues to move some of the most combat-capable units to the Bakhmut direction, combining these actions with powerful artillery fire and strikes by assault and army aircraft on the positions of our troops.

“At the same time, we continue to conduct offensive actions in separate directions […] Realizing this, the enemy units put up a desperate resistance.

“Therefore, it is clear that our plans need periodic adjustments and clarification,” he said.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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