Russia accuses Kyiv of deadly missile attack on Donetsk

Ukrainian authorities denied the accusations by Russia.

Neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian claims can be independently verified.

Pro-Russian separatists, who have controlled the city since 2014, had earlier said fragments from a rocket they shot down had left between 16 and 20 civilians dead.

Official separatist Telegram channels distributed photos and video of the aftermath, showing burnt-out cars, bodies strewn in the street, and damage to shops.

Reports of the attack came as Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met for talks to resolve more than two weeks of fierce fighting but failed to find any breakthrough.