Ukrainian authorities report Russian missiles hitting cities across Ukraine

Ukrainian authorities have reported that a series of Russian missiles have struck cities across Ukraine this morning – reportedly including the capital Kyiv, the Black Sea port of Odessa and the second city of Kharkiv.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said explosions were registered in the southwestern part of the city and rescue services were on their way.

Mr Klitshchko posted on Twitter: "As a result of the rocket attack, electricity crews have put in place emergency technical shut-offs in Kyiv. Approximately 15% of electricity consumers are currently without power."

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The Kyiv mayor added: "Another explosion has occurred in Kyiv. This time, in Svyatoshynskyy District.

"All emergency services are headed to the site. Cars are on fire in the courtyard of a residential building. Two persons are injured."

The governor of the Odessa region, Maksym Marchenko, said on Telegram that a mass missile attack had hit an energy facility in the port city, cutting power.

Reportedly residential areas were also hit, with no casualties immediately being reported.

According to the Kharkiv region Governor Oleh Synehubov, the city and region had been hit by "about 15 strikes", with targets he claimed including "critical infrastructure facilities" and a residential building.

Other strikes had been reportedly registered in the central city of Dnipro and regions throughout the country.

The head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, Maksym Kozytskyi posted a video of what he says is the consequences of the Russian missile hit in the Zolochiv district.

It had been reported that Russia was facing a "dilemma" after several assaults in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine failed, according to the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The MOD said "the Russian command likely saw a breakthrough at Vuhledar", a sector of Donetsk Oblast, "as a key way to achieve an operationally significant breakthrough in Ukraine's lines".

But, they added that Russian planners are "likely facing the dilemma of attempting another Vuhledar assault or supporting intense fighting further north near Bakhmut and Kremina".