Zelensky cuts short South Africa visit after Russian attack on Kiev

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would cut short his planned visit to South Africa on Thursday and return to Kiev after a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian capital.

Zelensky, who has been trying to secure international support for Ukraine's defense against Russian invasion, said he would return to his country immediately after meeting with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, Reuters news agency reports.

"The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine will hold all necessary meetings in South Africa to fully inform the country's political and public leaders about the situation," the Ukrainian president wrote on the Telegram network.

A combined Russian drone and missile attack overnight caused fires, hit buildings and buried residents under rubble in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, leaving eight dead and more than 70 injured, the State Emergency Service said on Thursday.

The most serious incident was in a residential building that was destroyed in the Sviatoshynskyi district, west of the city center.

The Emergency Services said rescue teams were working in 13 areas in the capital with climbing specialists and sniffer dogs. It is reported that 40 fires had broken out.

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