Russian missile and drone attack hits multiple targets in Ukraine

Russia has launched an aerial attack on Ukraine, striking the capital and other regions with multiple missiles and drones.

Ukraine’s air force reported a ballistic missile threat at 3am local time (1am GMT), with at least two explosions heard in Kyiv minutes later. Another missile alert was issued at 8am (6am GMT) followed by at least one explosion in the city.

Missile debris fell in the Darnytskyi district of the capital with no reports of casualties or damage, the local administration said.

Authorities in the north-eastern Sumy region reported strikes near the city of Shostka, where the mayor, Mykola Noha, said 12 residential buildings had been damaged as well as two educational facilities.

He said some “social infrastructure objects” had been destroyed, without providing detail.

The air force also reported missiles and drones targeting several other regions of Ukraine.

Around half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been destroyed during the war, and rolling electricity blackouts are common and widespread.

Kyiv’s Western allies have provided air defence systems to help Ukraine protect critical infrastructure, but Russia has sought to overwhelm its air defences with combined strikes involving large numbers of missiles and drones.

Russian attacks come as uncertainty looms over the course of the nearly three-year conflict.

US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office next month, has vowed to end the war – casting doubt on whether vital American military support for Kyiv will continue.

On Monday, President Joe Biden announced that the United States will send an additional 2.5 billion dollars (£1.9 billion) in weapons to Ukraine as his administration works quickly to spend all the money it has available to help Kyiv fight off Russia before Mr Trump takes office.

Russia has held the initiative this year as its military has steadily rammed through Ukrainian defences in the east in a series of slow but steady offensives.