Russian rockets hit Ukrainian cities in acts of "senseless barbarism"

As Moscow unleashes a wave of attacks spanning from Kharkiv in the east to Lviv in the west, explosions shake Kyiv.

In one of its worst assaults in weeks, Russia has launched a volley of missile attacks throughout Ukraine, hitting numerous important cities, including the capital Kyiv.

Out of 69 missiles fired by Russia in an offensive that started at 7am local time (05:00 GMT) on Thursday, the Ukrainian military claimed to have shot down 54 of them. One of the longest air raid alarms of the war lasted for five hours in Kyiv as air raid sirens wailed throughout the nation.

There were no early reports of deaths.

According to Ukraine's air force, the attacks, which came after a kamikaze drone assault overnight, involved sea- and air-based cruise missiles fired "from multiple angles."

According to local authorities, Kyiv's air defense systems were turned on to repel the raids.

The mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, announced on Telegram that 16 missiles aimed against the city had been destroyed.

A house and a car were destroyed by rocket debris, and at least three persons, including a 14-year-old girl, were hurt and taken to the hospital, according to Klitschko. He noted that search and rescue efforts were still ongoing.

Klitschko also urged people to store water and charge their electronic gadgets as he warned of major power outages in the capital, claiming that 40% of its citizens were without electricity after the attacks.

Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine, called the attacks "senseless brutality" on Twitter.

When Russia launched another missile bombardment at peaceful Ukrainian cities just before the new year, he said, "These are the only words that come to mind."