Adedokun Waliyu 
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Vladimir Putin’s troops have attacked Kyiv as British prime minister Keir Starmer made a surprise visit to the war-torn city on Thursday.
Ukrainian air defences rushed to down a Russian drone as explosions were reported throughout the Ukrainian capital during Sir Keir’s visit.
There were no casualties as a result of the day-time attack, but a car was damaged by falling debris, according to a city official.
It comes as Sir Keir vowed to uphold a 100-year partnership signed with Ukraine on Thursday.
In a joint press conference after signing, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky hailed a “ truly historic day” for a relationship which is “closer than ever”. Sir Keir promised the UK would “play our full part” in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security.
Struck by the “grim reminder” of war while visiting a burns hospital unit in Kyiv earlier on Thursday, Sir Keir promised more military, economic and healthcare aid.
Mr Zelensky and Sir Keir also discussed the possibility of sending British troops to Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said in the press conference.
The idea would see British and French soldiers deployed to the country and has been championed by French president Emmanuel Macron.
A major Russian gunpowder factory was attacked, a Ukrainian official said on Thursday, without claiming responsibility for the attack.
The factory, in Rudsia’s Tambov region, is “one of the main suppliers of explosive materials” for the Russian army, Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, wrote on Telegram.
“With the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, production at the plant increased significantly,” he added.
Mr Kovalenko did not specify what the consequences of the attack on the factory were, and Russian has not yet commented on the attack.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed the deployment of foreign troops with the UK, he said in a joint press conference with British prime minister Keir Starmer.
It is as-yet unclear what the conclusion of these discussions were, and whether the UK will send any troops to Ukraine.
Mr Zelensky has also discussed the topic with France, Poland, and Baltic countries, he added.
The remarks came in a joint press conference between the leaders, in which Sir Keir said the UK would continue working to guarantee Ukraine’s security.
“We will work with you and all of our allies on steps that would be robust enough to guarantee Ukraine’s security. We will play our full part,” he said.
Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky have signed the landmark 100-year partnership agreement to strengthen the countries’ relationship.
“Today is a truly historic day, our relationship is closer than ever,” Mr Zelensky told media after the signing the partnership, which will depeen security ties between the countries, on Thursday.
