Russia Launched 75 Missiles, Says Ukraine Amid Blasts Across Cities: ‘Many Dead’

Several explosions hit the centre of Kyiv- Ukraine’s capital- on Monday morning, its mayor said. Clouds of black smoke could be seen rising from buildings in videos widely shared on social media.

At least five people were killed and 12 wounded in Russian missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, police said.

“Most hits were in the centre of the capital,” the police added.

The head of the Ukrainian military said that Russian forces launched at least 75 missiles at Ukraine targeting the capital Kyiv, and cities in the south and west.

“The terrorist country, Russia, has carried out massive missile and air strikes on the territory of Ukraine, also using attack drones. In the morning, the aggressor launched 75 missiles. 41 of them were shot down by our air defence,” General Valeriy Zaluzhny said on social media.

The explosions took place around 0815 local time after months of relative calm in Kyiv and air raid sirens sounded in the Ukrainian capital more than an hour before the blasts, AFP reported.

Ukraine’s President Zelensky said that there were many dead and wounded in explosions across Ukraine. “They (Russia) are trying to destroy us and wipe us off the face of the Earth,” Zelensky said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said that the blast a day earlier on the bridge over the Kerch Strait was “an act of terrorism aimed at destroying critically important civilian infrastructure”. The Kerch Strait is a major supply route for Moscow’s forces in southern Ukraine.

“This was devised, carried out and ordered by the Ukrainian special services,” Putin said.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the blast.