Loud explosions heard in Kyiv, debris causes building fire

Days after Ukraine's air defences largely repelled a Russian missile attack, the Ukrainian military on Thursday reported explosions in the capital, Kyiv. 

Explosions were also reported in central and southern Ukraine as air raid sirens sounded throughout the country.

Warnings were issued in regions including Zhytomyr west of the capital and Kirovohrad, Cherkasy and Dnipropetrovsk in central Ukraine. Kyiv residents were asked to remain in shelters. 

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko told DW that there were no reports of casualties despite falling debris causing a fire in a garage facility in Darnytskyi.

Russia has been launching a flurry of attacks, mainly at Kyiv, since late April, after a week-long hiatus.

The attack comes as the Ukrainian army announced territorial gains in Bakhmut.