Loud explosions and air raid sirens
rang out in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv during a visit of Italian
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Thursday for a series of
institutional meetings.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was also in Ukraine's
capital for a surprise visit Thursday to meet Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelensky and sign a strategic bilateral
"100-year partnership" to deepen security ties with Ukraine when
air defence systems reportedly repelled a Russian drone attack.
Crosetto was also due to meet Zelensky in the afternoon, the
defence ministry said.
The explosions on Thursday morning were reported only 7-800
metres from the location visited by the defence minister.
On Thursday morning, Crosetto met with the Ukrainian Minister of
Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin who thanked Italy "for
ensuring its aid for the legitimate defence of Ukraine and its
population", said the defence ministry.
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