Large explosions were reported in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, following the sound of incoming missiles.
Explosions were also heard in Lviv, Ternopil, Dnipro, Zhytomyr and Zaporizhzhia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on his Telegram account: “On the 229th day they are trying to destroy us and wipe us off the face of the Earth. In general, destroy our people who are sleeping in their homes in Zaporizhzhia. Kill the people who are going to work in Dnipro and Kyiv.
“The air alarm is not subsiding all over Ukraine. There are missiles hitting. Unfortunately, there are dead and injured. Please do not leave the shelters. Take care of you and your loved ones. Let’s hold on and be strong.”
Aerial sirens across Ukraine as multiple cities strike – the last war
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said some critical infrastructure had been hit, adding: “The capital is under attack from Russian terrorists!
“The rockets hit objects in the city center (in the Shevchenkiv district) and in the Solomyan district. The air alert, and therefore the threat, continues.
“I appeal to all the inhabitants of the capital: stay in the shelters during the alert. If there is no urgent need, it is better not to go to town today.”
A witness told Reuters news agency that black smoke was seen rising from a building in the city center after the sound of an explosion.
Others on social media posted images claiming to be from the city, with some claiming a “missile attack” was “hit” by Ukrainian forces.
The last attack on Kyiv took place in June.
One of the missiles hit an apartment building, killing one and injuring six. But unlike previous attacks which mainly affected the outskirts of the capital. Monday’s strike targeted several downtown communities.
Deborah Haynes, Sky News’ security and defense editor, said: “There has been relative calm in recent months.
“It’s very unusual to have strikes right in the heart of the city, where the government offices are.
“We don’t have confirmation yet of what was hit… but an adviser to the president just tweeted again calling Russia a terrorist state with photographs of flames behind a building.”
It occurs only a few days after a explosion on the Kerch Strait bridge that connects occupied Crimea to Russia.
The explosion caused severe damage and will further compress supply lines for Kremlin forces fighting in Ukraine.
Read more:
Why a bridge explosion in Crimea could be a turning point for Russia
No one claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack.
Russian President Vladimir Poutinefacing rare direct criticism at home, accused Ukrainian special forces of carrying out the attack.
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However, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, tweeted: “Putin accuses Ukraine of terrorism? It sounds too cynical even for Russia.
“Less than 24 hours ago, (Russian) planes hit the residential area of Zaporizhzhia with 12 missiles, killing 13 people and injuring more than 50.
“There is only one terrorist state here and the whole world knows who it is.”
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