Russian strike on Ukraine leaves multiple dead and others feared trapped

A major Russian attack on parts of Ukraine and its capital, Kyiv, has killed at least 18 people, damaged buildings and left others feared trapped under rubble, local authorities say.

A total of more than 100 people have also been injured, while thousands sought refuge in underground metro stations.

Russia previously warned it intended to launch "systematic strikes" on targets in Kyiv and decision-making centres linked to the Ukrainian military, raising fears of further attacks.

A major Russian attack on several Ukrainian cities has killed at least 18 people, wounded more than 100 and left rescuers searching for people feared trapped beneath collapsed buildings, according to local authorities.

The strikes, which hit cities including Kyiv and Dnipro, came after Russia warned it would carry out "systematic" attacks on the Ukraine following a deadly drone strike on a dormitory in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region last month.

It was the third major assault on Kyiv in less than a month, although Russia has continued to bombard cities across Ukraine since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Various parts of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv came under fire from a massive Russian attack. (Reuters: Alina Smutko)

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a suspected missile strike on a 24-storey apartment building caused part of the structure to collapse on Tuesday, local time.

In an update posted to Telegram, Mr Klitschko said at least 51 people, including three children, had been injured in the attack.

He said 35 of the injured, including one child, were being treated in hospital.

A resident stands at a site of a Russian drone and missile strike in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Reuters: Stringer)

Earlier, Mr Klitschko said a fire had broken out in the Podil district on the grounds of a non-residential property, and a nine-storey apartment building was on fire after debris apparently struck the roof.

"In the Obolon district, cars are burning after being struck by falling missile debris. There are also fires at two locations in open areas, including one near a kindergarten," he said in a statement on Telegram.

People react as they look at the site of a Russian missile strike that hit a residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo: Efrem Lukatsky)

As daylight rose, city officials reported falling missile debris or direct strikes had destroyed or damaged buildings in seven different districts of the capital.

During the attack Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's City Military Administration, said "the enemy is striking with ballistic missiles".

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