Russia attacking Kyiv with missiles, explosions heard

AFP journalists heard two series of explosions in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Saturday, with an air alert siren sounding minutes after the first blast.

Moscow has been firing missiles and drones at Kyiv almost daily since launching its invasion in February 2022.

But a spate of deadly attacks using dozens of ultra-fast ballistic missiles have recently challenged Ukraine's air defences.

In one such attack this week, the blast of a missile over the Kyiv skyline rocked sleeping residents even before the city's air alert sirens managed to sound.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, confirmed on Telegram that Russia was "attacking the capital with missiles".

He urged residents to "stay in a safe place".

AFP heard at least five explosions early Saturday, followed by a second wave shortly after.

The attacks came one day after Ukrainian drone strikes hit oil refineries in southern Russia, as Kyiv targets its foe's energy infrastructure.