Armed man holds 20 hostages on bus

An armed man has taken about 20 people hostage on a bus in the western Ukrainian city of Lutsk, a city 250 miles west of Kyiv, according to reports.

Ukrainian Police reported that shots were fired but it is unknown if anyone has been hurt with the gunman’s demands not being clear.

Deputy Interior Minister of Ukraine, Anton Herashchenko said the man claimed to be carrying explosives.

“The police launched a special hostage operation. Negotiations are under way,” Mr Herashchenko said on Facebook.

Ukrainian media have shared what appears to be the man’s Twitter account on which he is posting criticism of political figures.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was closely following the situation.