Huge Explosions Rock Kyiv: Is the Capital Under Attack?

Massive explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Monday morning, just before a scheduled National Security Council meeting led by President Vladimir Putin to discuss the response to the Kerch bridge explosion that occurred on Saturday. Kyiv's Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported that several explosions took place in the city center this morning, according to Reuters. Videos captured smoke rising from buildings in the city's center. For its part, Agence France-Presse reported at least three strong explosions heard in Kyiv. It added that sirens were heard in the city before the explosions occurred. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke rising from some buildings in the downtown areas. Other reports indicated that these areas were subjected to airstrikes. A spokesperson for Ukrainian emergency services announced that several people were killed and injured in the explosions. Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, stated on Telegram that "several explosions occurred in the Shevchenkivskyi area, in central Kyiv."