Frantic rescue effort after Russian artillery hits apartment buildings in Kyiv

Kyiv, Ukraine — The Russian offensive in Ukraine edged closer to central Kyiv on Tuesday even as the two countries kept open a narrow diplomatic channel with more talks planned. Shortly before dawn, large explosions thundered across the city as a series of Russian strikes hit a residential neighborhood, sparking a huge fire and a frantic rescue effort in a 15-story apartment building.

At least two people were killed and others were trapped, French news agency AFP reported, quoting emergency services as saying 27 people had been rescued.

Shockwaves from an explosion also damaged the entry to a downtown subway station that has been used as a bomb shelter. City authorities tweeted an image of the blown-out facade, saying trains would no longer stop at the station.