Russian forces launched a "massive" attack on Kyiv on Thursday, hitting the Ukrainian capital with strikes that killed at least four people and wounded around 30 others, Ukrainian officials said.

The attack came as Moscow and Kyiv traded blame over an impasse in diplomatic efforts towards a peace deal spearheaded by US President Donald Trump.

AFP journalists in Kyiv witnessed powerful explosions that illuminated the night sky and left behind a column of smoke.

Ukraine's Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said the strikes killed four people and wounded "about 30 people".

Those killed included a 14-year-old girl, while five children aged seven to 17 were among those who sustained "injuries of varying severity", Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the city's military administration, said.

Mayor Vi

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