Explosions heard in Kyiv amid Russian drone attack as Ukraine-Russia peace talks loom

Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Explosions were heard in Kyiv amid a Russian drone attack on the capital in the early hours of May 16, as Ukraine and Russia are set to begin peace talks later in the day.

"Explosions in the capital. Air defense forces are working," Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported at 6:38 a.m. local time.

Fallen drone debris damaged a boiler room, windows, and cars in the Sviatoshynskyi district, but no casualties were reported as of the time of publication.

Russia regularly targets civilian infrastructure with missile and drone strikes as it wages its war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for a 30-day ceasefire, saying on April 23, Ukraine insists on an "immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire."

Direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia were expected to begin on May 15, but are now slated to begin on May 16.

Russian authorities have listed maximalist demands toward Ukraine in ceasefire negotiations brokered by the U.S.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on May 15 described Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to send junior aides for peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul as a "slap in the face."

Moscow announced that their delegation would be headed by presidential advisor and propaganda architect, Vladimir Medinsky.

Putin himself will not be attending, despite calls from Zelensky and various world leaders for him to attend peace talks in Istanbul.