Kyiv hit by 'Russian airstrikes' as explosions heard and plumes of smoke rise

KYIV is hit by devastating 'Russian airstrikes' this morning as explosions can be heard in the distance and plumes of smoke rise form the city.

Unconfirmed reports on social media and local media reports suggested hydroelectric power plants had also been attacked in the Kyiv region.

There was no word on casualties, but explosions shook cities, including Kyiv where local officials said 350,000 apartments were left without electricity, water supplies were affected and mobile phone systems were down in some areas.

Russian forces pounded energy facilities across Ukraine with missiles on Monday, causing blackouts and cutting off water supplies in some parts of the country, Ukrainian officials said.