Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has tweeted in English, saying that the missiles targeting Kyiv, and are a message to the African leaders visiting Ukraine today:
Quote Message: Putin 'builds confidence' by launching the largest missile attack on Kyiv in weeks, exactly amid the visit of African leaders to our capital. Russian missiles are a message to Africa: Russia wants more war, not peace."
Putin 'builds confidence' by launching the largest missile attack on Kyiv in weeks, exactly amid the visit of African leaders to our capital. Russian missiles are a message to Africa: Russia wants more war, not peace."
Leaders visit site of Bucha killings
Video content
Video caption: African delegation visit site of mass grave in Bucha near KyivAfrican delegation visit site of mass grave in Bucha near Kyiv
A little earlier, the African leaders went to the site of the mass grave in the town of Bucha, which lies just outside of Kyiv.
The South African presidency has tweeted a few videos of them arriving and taking part in a short remembrance ceremony.
There are 458 people buried in the mass grave who were killed at the start of the war.
Ukraine says it has uncovered multiple mass graves in Bucha, Borodyanka and other towns near the capital Kyiv that were briefly seized by Russian troops.
High precision missiles flying low - Ukraine air force
Mayeni Jones
Reporting from Kyiv
Missiles and drones have been launched into Ukraine’s
air space as a delegation of African leaders visit the capital Kyiv on a peace
mission.
Explosions have been heard in Kyiv, as Ukraine’s
military says the capital’s air defence system is at work.
Delegations from seven African countries, including
South Africa, Egypt and Senegal are due to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr
Zelensky later today to suggest compromises for a peace deal.
They’re due to visit St Petersburg tomorrow. The air force says that high precision
missiles are flying low to the ground, potentially making them more difficult
to detect.
BreakingKyiv under attack - Klitschko
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko has posted on Telegram that there has been an explosion in the Podilsky district of the city, and more rockets are on their way.
We will bring you more when we have it.
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."
Presidency of South AfricaCopyright: Presidency of South Africa
Ramaphosa was met by Ukraine's special envoy for Africa and the Middle East, Maksym Subhk (L)Image caption: Ramaphosa was met by Ukraine's special envoy for Africa and the Middle East, Maksym Subhk (L)
A video was posted on Twitter a little while back of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arriving at Nemishaeve railway station just outside the Ukrainian capital Kyiv this morning.
He was greeted by Ukraine's special envoy for Africa and the Middle East, Maksym Subkh, as well as the South African ambassador to Ukraine, Andre Groenewald.
Who's behind this peace initiative?
This peace mission is being facilitated by the Brazzaville
Foundation - an independent non-profit organisation whose goal is to develop
initiatives to prevent conflict, mainly in Africa.
It is led by Frenchman Jean-Yves Ollivier, who has previously
helped secure the release of hostages in the Central African Republic and
mediate a power-sharing deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo
When it comes to the war in Ukraine, the foundation has stressed
the need for dialogue, and its members have met both representatives of Ukraine
and Russia over the past few months.
The foundation’s goal is “to facilitate a resumption of talks
between the two countries”, according to its website, and its members hope to
make progress on that front during these visits to Kyiv and Moscow.
Counting Russia's war dead
BBCCopyright: BBC
A BBC investigation has found the number of Russian soldiers killed during the war in Ukraine is far higher than the official figures released by Moscow.
It found that about 25,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine.
The number is four times the official figure released by Moscow.
The BBC's Russian service and the Russian website Mediazona studied images of war graves, posts on social media and reports in local Russian news outlets to reach their conclusion.
While at the start of Russia's invasion it was mostly trained professional soldiers that were dying, their research suggests the casualties are now mostly older fighters, with little training.
Many have been recruited from prisons by the Wagner mercenary group.
On the ground: Ukraine's counter-offensive continues
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
A Ukrainian national flag is seen in the newly liberated village NeskuchneImage caption: A Ukrainian national flag is seen in the newly liberated village Neskuchne
A reminder as to where we are with the conflict. Ukraine's forces have embarked on a counter-offensive against the Russian military over the past few days, with mixed results.
Kyiv announced it had won back several settlements from Russian occupying forces on Monday, as pictures and videos of Ukrainian flags being raised flooded social media.
Their troops reportedly recaptured around 35 sq miles (90 sq km) since starting their counter-offensive - a fraction of the 40,000 square miles that still remains under Russian control.
The fight has been tough, however, and Ukraine’s deputy minister conceded that their troops were engaged in "extremely fierce battles" with the Russians.
Russia has also stepped up missile attacks across Ukraine, including in Kyiv, Odesa, and President Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih - where at least 11 people were killed and 28 others injured, according to officials.
Let's move away from the diplomatic movements of the day briefly to pick up some other developments.
Ukraine is reporting the abduction of some 150 children from the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, in the east of the country.
According to the National Resistance Centre of Ukraine, the children were "illegally taken" from Luhansk's Starobilsk district on 8 June and transported to two centres in Russia's southern Karachay-Cherkess region.
The centre also reports that some children in occupied areas of Ukraine are being forced to undergo "preventative medical exams", saying that those who do not pass are being sent to Russia "for treatment".
Ukrainian officials say more than 19,000 children have been taken from occupied areas since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russia's President Putin, alleging he was responsible for war crimes over the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.
The man who prepared the ground for this mission has talked about modest goals.
Jean-Yves Ollivier has not commented publicly about the trip recently - but in previously published interviews he has laid out his approach.
He said the aim was to start talking rather than to resolve the conflict, to begin a dialogue on issues that do not directly affect the military situation and build from there.
One of them is a potential swap of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war.
The other is to try and find solutions to issues that matter to Africa, like grain and fertilizer.
The war has severely restricted the export of grain from Ukraine and fertilizers from Russia, intensifying global food insecurity. Africa, which depends on imports of both, has suffered the most.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Ukraine is one of the world's top producers of grainImage caption: Ukraine is one of the world's top producers of grain
First pictures of African leaders on train to Ukraine
We're seeing 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.
South African PresidencyCopyright: South African Presidency
South African PresidencyCopyright: South African Presidency
Analysis
Rare diplomatic intervention from African leaders
Barbara Plett Usher
BBC News, Nairobi
Seven African leaders are travelling to Ukraine and Russia on a peace mission, hoping to bring the war there closer to an end.
But the timing of the visit seems off. It comes just as Kyiv is launching its much-vaunted counter-offensive.
The mission is an unusual burst of activism given Africa's largely hands-off approach to a conflict that many here see primarily as a confrontation between Russia and the West.
It is also a rare attempt at diplomatic intervention outside the continent - a "welcome development" given Africa's growing demand to have a bigger voice at the UN and other international organisations, says Murithi Mutiga, Africa director at the International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank.
The delegation will be led South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and includes senior representatives of Egypt, Senegal, Comoros, Uganda, Zambia, and the Republic of the Congo.
The delegation will also consist of Senegalese President Macky Sall, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Azali Assoumani, the president of Comoros and current chairperson of the African Union.
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Senegalese President Macky SallImage caption: Senegalese President Macky Sall
Welcome to our live coverage
Nathan Williams
Live reporter
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading the peace initiativeImage caption: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading the peace initiative
We're used to seeing President Zelensky with world leaders. What
we're not used to is seeing those same leaders then meeting Russia's leader the
following day.
Today seven African leaders are travelling to Kyiv to meet
Zelensky, before heading to Moscow to meet Russia's President Putin on Saturday.
They're on a peace mission, though the initial goals may be modest.
There is also a meeting of Nato defence ministers happening in
Brussels.
Meanwhile, a BBC investigation has found that about 25,000
Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine. That is four times the official
figure released by Moscow.
Stick with Anna Boyd, Sarah
Fowler and myself as we bring you updates throughout the day.
Live Reporting
James Harness
All times stated are UK
'Missiles are a message to Africa'
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has tweeted in English, saying that the missiles targeting Kyiv, and are a message to the African leaders visiting Ukraine today:
Leaders visit site of Bucha killings
Video content
A little earlier, the African leaders went to the site of the mass grave in the town of Bucha, which lies just outside of Kyiv.
The South African presidency has tweeted a few videos of them arriving and taking part in a short remembrance ceremony.
There are 458 people buried in the mass grave who were killed at the start of the war.
Ukraine says it has uncovered multiple mass graves in Bucha, Borodyanka and other towns near the capital Kyiv that were briefly seized by Russian troops.
High precision missiles flying low - Ukraine air force
Mayeni Jones
Reporting from Kyiv
Missiles and drones have been launched into Ukraine’s air space as a delegation of African leaders visit the capital Kyiv on a peace mission.
Explosions have been heard in Kyiv, as Ukraine’s military says the capital’s air defence system is at work.
Delegations from seven African countries, including South Africa, Egypt and Senegal are due to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky later today to suggest compromises for a peace deal.
They’re due to visit St Petersburg tomorrow. The air force says that high precision missiles are flying low to the ground, potentially making them more difficult to detect.
BreakingKyiv under attack - Klitschko
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko has posted on Telegram that there has been an explosion in the Podilsky district of the city, and more rockets are on their way.
We will bring you more when we have it.
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."
South African president arrives in Kyiv
A video was posted on Twitter a little while back of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arriving at Nemishaeve railway station just outside the Ukrainian capital Kyiv this morning.
He was greeted by Ukraine's special envoy for Africa and the Middle East, Maksym Subkh, as well as the South African ambassador to Ukraine, Andre Groenewald.
Who's behind this peace initiative?
This peace mission is being facilitated by the Brazzaville Foundation - an independent non-profit organisation whose goal is to develop initiatives to prevent conflict, mainly in Africa.
It is led by Frenchman Jean-Yves Ollivier, who has previously helped secure the release of hostages in the Central African Republic and mediate a power-sharing deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo
When it comes to the war in Ukraine, the foundation has stressed the need for dialogue, and its members have met both representatives of Ukraine and Russia over the past few months.
The foundation’s goal is “to facilitate a resumption of talks between the two countries”, according to its website, and its members hope to make progress on that front during these visits to Kyiv and Moscow.
Counting Russia's war dead
A BBC investigation has found the number of Russian soldiers killed during the war in Ukraine is far higher than the official figures released by Moscow.
It found that about 25,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine.
The number is four times the official figure released by Moscow.
The BBC's Russian service and the Russian website Mediazona studied images of war graves, posts on social media and reports in local Russian news outlets to reach their conclusion.
While at the start of Russia's invasion it was mostly trained professional soldiers that were dying, their research suggests the casualties are now mostly older fighters, with little training.
Many have been recruited from prisons by the Wagner mercenary group.
You can see the full investigation here.
On the ground: Ukraine's counter-offensive continues
A reminder as to where we are with the conflict. Ukraine's forces have embarked on a counter-offensive against the Russian military over the past few days, with mixed results.
Kyiv announced it had won back several settlements from Russian occupying forces on Monday, as pictures and videos of Ukrainian flags being raised flooded social media.
Their troops reportedly recaptured around 35 sq miles (90 sq km) since starting their counter-offensive - a fraction of the 40,000 square miles that still remains under Russian control.
The fight has been tough, however, and Ukraine’s deputy minister conceded that their troops were engaged in "extremely fierce battles" with the Russians.
Russia has also stepped up missile attacks across Ukraine, including in Kyiv, Odesa, and President Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih - where at least 11 people were killed and 28 others injured, according to officials.
Track Ukraine’s war with Russia here.
Ukraine says Russia abducted 150 children
Let's move away from the diplomatic movements of the day briefly to pick up some other developments.
Ukraine is reporting the abduction of some 150 children from the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, in the east of the country.
According to the National Resistance Centre of Ukraine, the children were "illegally taken" from Luhansk's Starobilsk district on 8 June and transported to two centres in Russia's southern Karachay-Cherkess region.
The centre also reports that some children in occupied areas of Ukraine are being forced to undergo "preventative medical exams", saying that those who do not pass are being sent to Russia "for treatment".
Ukrainian officials say more than 19,000 children have been taken from occupied areas since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russia's President Putin, alleging he was responsible for war crimes over the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.
Moscow has denied all the allegations.
What can this mission actually achieve?
Barbara Plett Usher
BBC News, Nairobi
The man who prepared the ground for this mission has talked about modest goals.
Jean-Yves Ollivier has not commented publicly about the trip recently - but in previously published interviews he has laid out his approach.
He said the aim was to start talking rather than to resolve the conflict, to begin a dialogue on issues that do not directly affect the military situation and build from there.
One of them is a potential swap of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war.
The other is to try and find solutions to issues that matter to Africa, like grain and fertilizer.
The war has severely restricted the export of grain from Ukraine and fertilizers from Russia, intensifying global food insecurity. Africa, which depends on imports of both, has suffered the most.
You can read more from Barbara here.
First pictures of African leaders on train to Ukraine
We're seeing 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.
Rare diplomatic intervention from African leaders
Barbara Plett Usher
BBC News, Nairobi
Seven African leaders are travelling to Ukraine and Russia on a peace mission, hoping to bring the war there closer to an end.
But the timing of the visit seems off. It comes just as Kyiv is launching its much-vaunted counter-offensive.
The mission is an unusual burst of activism given Africa's largely hands-off approach to a conflict that many here see primarily as a confrontation between Russia and the West.
It is also a rare attempt at diplomatic intervention outside the continent - a "welcome development" given Africa's growing demand to have a bigger voice at the UN and other international organisations, says Murithi Mutiga, Africa director at the International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank.
Read more here.
Who's going?
The delegation will be led South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and includes senior representatives of Egypt, Senegal, Comoros, Uganda, Zambia, and the Republic of the Congo.
The delegation will also consist of Senegalese President Macky Sall, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Azali Assoumani, the president of Comoros and current chairperson of the African Union.
Welcome to our live coverage
Nathan Williams
Live reporter
We're used to seeing President Zelensky with world leaders. What we're not used to is seeing those same leaders then meeting Russia's leader the following day.
Today seven African leaders are travelling to Kyiv to meet Zelensky, before heading to Moscow to meet Russia's President Putin on Saturday.
They're on a peace mission, though the initial goals may be modest.
There is also a meeting of Nato defence ministers happening in Brussels.
Meanwhile, a BBC investigation has found that about 25,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine. That is four times the official figure released by Moscow.
Stick with Anna Boyd, Sarah Fowler and myself as we bring you updates throughout the day.