Ukrainian officials said air raid alerts were declared in numerous districts as Russia launched extensive drone and missile attacks overnight on the capital Kyiv and several other cities.
Explosions were heard in various districts of Kyiv, with air defence systems activated to shoot off incoming drones and missiles targeting both civilian and infrastructure locations, authorities said.
Bands of drones and missiles poured in from numerous directions as air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv and nearby areas, Ukrainian officials said.
Throughout the night air defense forces were engaged and civilians were encouraged to remain in shelters as strikes continued intermittently at different areas.
Residential buildings and infrastructure were damaged in Kyiv, initial reports say, with emergency services responding to fires and debris.
Other cities outside the capital were hit too, although officials are still trying to determine how much damage was done and how many people may have been killed.
Ukraine’s air force said it had intercepted a number of approaching drones and missiles, averting more broad damage, while some projectiles were believed to have hit their objectives.
Officials say that as inspections continue throughout the day, details of the attack will be updated.
The current assaults are the latest in a trend of stepped-up air raids as Russia ramps up combined drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy and urban facilities.
Such coordinated operations are designed to wear out air defence systems and disturb civilian life, say military analysts.
Authorities are still assessing the number of victims and damage to infrastructure with emergency teams deployed across the impacted districts.
More updates are expected when Ukraine’s military gives full details on the interceptions and impacts.
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