Ukrainian security forces eliminated a shooter who killed at least two people and took hostages inside a Kyiv supermarket.
The hostage situation has escalated into a shooting, with media reporting four dead and several injured.
The message adds that the shooter killed four passersby before barricading himself and taking hostages, and that gunfire is ongoing.
Ukrainian special forces have begun storming the supermarket, with an explosion reported in the building and the shooter previously offered surrender.
Kyiv police special units have begun an assault on the location where the shooter is holding hostages.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko confirms shots are being heard inside the supermarket as special forces storm the building, with updated casualty figures of two dead and five injured.
Police are now actively communicating with the armed man via loudspeaker as negotiations continue.
Ukrainian special forces have arrived at the scene and are preparing for an assault, with reports of gunfire heard inside the building.
The shooter was eliminated during the assault by security forces, and the casualty toll is reported as at least 2 dead and 5 injured.