RUSSIAN forces were accused of targeting a residential tower block in the Ukrainian capital Kiev today as talks aimed at ending the war, which has raged for three weeks, resumed.

At least one person was reported to have been killed in the Kiev attack, which took place in the early hours. 

Emergency services said at least 12 people were injured in the nine-storey building in Kiev’s Obolon district.

With Russian troops said to be moving in on the capital, a fourth round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators took place today. There were suggestions that progress had been made but no details were given.

Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said he was pressing for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops, along with security guarantees.

“The parties actively expressed their specified positions,” he said, adding: “Communication is being held, yet it is hard.”

Talks are set to continue tomorrow.

Despite the ongoing discussions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said that Russia may place major cities in Ukraine under its control to ensure the “maximum safety of the peaceful population.”

He accused officials from the United States and European Union of “pushing Russia towards storming major cities in Ukraine with a view to place responsibility for civilian deaths on our country.”

“We think that such a position is provocative,” Mr Peskov added.

Russia continued to bomb Ukrainian cities including the Black Sea port city of Mariupol, where citizens are running short of basic supplies. A 160-vehicle convoy left via a humanitarian corridor today as residents described horrific scenes in the besieged city.

Moscow accused Ukraine of killing 20 people and injuring 12 in a missile attack on the city of Donetsk in the disputed Donbas region.

“It appears the bosses of Ukraine across the ocean are giving orders to the Ukrainian army,” a Russian statement said. 

Prime Minister of the breakaway Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin has declared tomorrow a day of mourning for those killed in the missile strike.

“I express my condolences to the families and friends of the victims. I wish a speedy recovery to the wounded,” he said.

Kiev has denied carrying out the attack.

Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, with President Vladimir Putin describing it as a “special operation” aimed at demilitarising and denazifying the country.

But it has forced about 2.5 million people to flee their homes. The mass exodus has been described as the worst refugee crisis since World War II.