Russia’s defence ministry said on Wednesday that its forces had carried out a ‘massive strike’ on targets in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions, Reuters reported.

Moscow also said it hit port facilities in the Odesa region, as well as sea vessels it said were being used in the interests of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Wednesday, according to a Reuters witness cited by Devdiscourse. Ukrainian officials had not immediately detailed the full extent of the damage.

The strikes mark one of the larger recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Both sides have continued long-range strikes as the war grinds on.

International observers are watching for the humanitarian impact on civilians and for any response from Kyiv’s Western partners in the coming days.

Ukraine’s air defences regularly try to intercept incoming missiles and drones. Residents in Kyiv were urged to stay in shelters during the alerts. The full scale of casualties and damage was still being assessed on Wednesday morning.

Residents in Kyiv were urged to stay in shelters during the air raid alerts.