Reports of loud blasts and a potential missile attack in the Ukrainian city of Kyiv
There are local reports of heavy bombing and Russian missile fire in the capital of Ukraine.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko says one person has been killed in Podilskyi district.
The major of Kyiv says houses and shops are being shelled.
This all began late on Sunday local time, residential areas and a major shopping district hit by Russian forces.
Residential houses and a shopping district were shelled in Kyiv late on Sunday, mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
“Several explosions in the capital’s Podil district,” Klitschko said on his Telegram channel.
“According to the information we have at the moment, several homes and one of the shopping centres [were hit]. Rescue teams, medics and the police are already on site.”
On social media we are seeing videos from CCTV of homes and shops from shelling on of the shopping centers.
Ukraine rejects surrender
Now as Several explosions are heard in Kyiv, there were earlier reports that Russia is demanding that Ukraine surrenders Mariupol.
According to Russian media, Russia’s defense ministry said that Ukraine must surrender the city by 5 a.m. on March 21. Russia claims it will then open humanitarian corridors for civilians and disarmed soldiers.
However, Ukraine has rejected Russia’s demands to surrender Mariupol as Moscow’s attacks on the port city continue.
Ukraine’s Deputy PM says surrendering is not an option, with Russia stating it will only establish a humanitarian corridor IF the city gives in to Russian advancements.
We know just over 7000 people have evacuated from hot spots on Sunday
According to Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, only four out of seven agreed-upon humanitarian corridors were able to carry out evacuations.
