Explosions and gun fire sound over Kyiv as Russia launches attack on capital

LOUD explosions echoed through Kyiv on Friday (December 16), Reuters witnesses in the capital said, and air defence systems were in operation across Ukraine.

Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles on Friday, hitting critical infrastructure across the country and knocking out power as people took cover in shelters, Ukrainian officials said.

Local officials said infrastructure had been hit in the eastern region of Kharkiv, the Black Sea region of Odesa and in Vinnytsia in west central Ukraine in the lastest big wave of missile strikessince October.

Ukraine's railway operator said a number of railway lines were left without power.

Kharkiv, the central city of Poltava and parts of Kyiv were left without electricity and the northern Sumy region suffered power outages, regional officials said.

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