Kyiv without power as Russian missiles slam into cities across Ukraine

Dozens of Russian missiles have slammed into cities across Ukraine as Vladimir Putin ramped up his attacks on civilian infrastructure. 

Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said parts of the city were without power on Monday morning as witnesses reported at least five explosions across the capital.  

Meanwhile there were also reports of strikes in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and the Cherkasy region, in central Ukraine.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, the underground system was stopped after the power failed while Zaporzhzhia and Cherkasy were suffering blackouts.

Russian missiles are shot down over Kyiv on Monday morning amidst a barrage by Moscow’s troops which hit Ukrainian power stations

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In the Kirovohrad region of central Ukraine, the energy facility was hit, according to local authorities.

In Vinnytsia, a missile that was shot down landed on civilian buildings, resulting in damage but no casualties, according to regional governor Serhii Borzov.

Russia has been targeting civilian infrastructure including electricity and water supplies in an apparent attempt to freeze Ukrainians in their homes as winter hits.

Facing setbacks on the battlefield, Moscow seems to be targeting civilians to break their will to continue the war. Such attacks are war crimes, under international law.

Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to President Zelensky, said around 40 missiles had been fired at Ukraine in the early hours.

It comes after a weekend in which Russia blamed Ukraine for a drone attack on its Black Sea fleet.

Moscow has since withdrawn its support for ships taking grain out of Ukraine’s ports and into world markets, saying it could ‘no longer guarantee their safety.’

Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, added: ‘Another batch of Russian missiles hits Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. 

‘Instead of fighting on the battlefield, Russia fights civilians. 

‘Don’t justify these attacks by calling them a “response.” Russia does this because it still has the missiles and the will to kill Ukrainians.’

Incredible video footage from a Ukrainian underwater drone appears to show the Russian Black Sea flagship, Admiral Makarov

Russia said Saturday’s attack, at the Crimean port of Sevastopol, involved nine drones which damaged one warship.

Footage released over the weekend appeared to give a drone’s-eye-view of the attack – closing in on a warship as a helicopter attempted to blown the drone up.

Another piece of black-and-white footage seemed to reveal the moment a ship was struck, with an explosion lighting up the night sky.

Moscow claimed all of the ships targeted were involved in the mission to allow grain ships to navigate the heavily-mined waters of the Black Sea and transport food to global markets, where it is used to feed some of the world’s poorest.

As a result, the Kremlin said it was withdrawing support for the mission.

However, Kyiv – with support from Turkey – plans to push ahead with fresh shipments today amid fears the vessels could come under attack.