Ukraine Under Siege: Explosions Rock Multiple Cities Amidst Escalated Conflict

Explosions rocked Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine as Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack. Several cities lost power and water supply, and casualties were reported. Meanwhile, Ukraine intensified strikes inside Russian territory, causing further deaths and injuries.

Explosions were heard in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine early Monday morning as Russia launched a significant missile and drone attack, according to The Kyiv Independent. Air raid sirens sounded nationwide just before 6 a.m.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that several districts in the capital were without power and water supply on the city's right bank was disrupted. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed similar explosions in his city.

Odesa, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kropyvnytskyi, and Kryvyi Rih also experienced blasts. Lutsk Mayor Ihor Polishchuk reported damage to an apartment block and one casualty. The Ukrainian Air Force initially observed 11 Russian bomber aircraft and numerous kamikaze drones, later updating the count with an additional six bombers.

Multiple missile types were launched, and further details are awaited. Concurrently, five people were killed and 13 injured in an overnight Ukrainian strike on Belgorod, per Al Jazeera, citing Russian officials. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the casualties, including three minors, in Rakitnoye.

Kyiv has ramped up attacks inside Russian territory following a ground offensive in the Kursk region. In another incident, a Russian strike hit a hotel in Kramatorsk, reported by the Donetsk region Governor Vadym Filashkin. The attack resulted in injuries to two journalists, with a third missing. A search operation is underway.

(With inputs from agencies.)