Russia unleashes barrage of missiles on Ukraine cities

Russian forces have unleashed a barrage of missiles on cities across Ukraine targeting energy infrastructure facilities, including the capital, Kyiv, the Black Sea port of Odesa and the northeastern city of Kharkiv, according to Ukrainian officials and media reports.

The missile attacks set off air raid sirens all across Ukraine early on Thursday.

In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported explosions in the city’s southern Holosiivskyi district.

“All services heading to the spot,” he wrote on social media.

In the Odesa region, Governor Maksym Marchenko said on Telegram that a mass missile attack had hit an energy facility in the port city, cutting off power. Anti-aircraft units had downed some missiles and new attacks could follow, he said.

“Fortunately, there are no casualties. Electricity restrictions are in effect,” the governor added.

The Kharkiv region also saw some 15 missile attacks, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

“Objects of critical infrastructure are again in the crosshairs of the occupants,” he said in a Telegram post.

Another strike was reported in the central city of Dnipro and in the western towns of Lutsk and Rivne, far from the front lines in the year-old war.

Ukrainian newspaper Dzerkalo Tyzhnia reported blasts in the city of Sumy and said a drone had been spotted above the western Lviv region.