Russian missiles hit Ukrainian capital, other cities

Russian missiles struck Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkiv, the capital Kyiv and western Lviv on Thursday, causing a series of explosions, mayors said.

"December 29. Massive missiles attack... The enemy is attacking Ukraine from various directions with air and sea-based cruise missiles from strategic aircraft and ships," Ukraine's air force said on social media.

According to presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak, more than 120 missiles were fired.

After a series of battlefield setbacks and lost territory this summer and autumn, Moscow has stepped up its aerial campaign repeatedly targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure with drones and missiles.

Kharkiv's Ihor Terekhov said officials were clarifying what had been hit and whether there were any casualties. Kyiv's Vitali Klitschko warned of possible power cuts there and asked residents to charge their phones.

"Two private houses in Darnytskyi district were damaged by the fragments of downed missiles," the Kyiv city military administration said on Telegram.

It said a business and a playground were also damaged and the situation of the victims "is being clarified".

Lviv's mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on Telegram that 90% of the city was without electricity and electric public transport was not running.

"There may be interruptions in water supply," he added.

(Reuters and AFP)