According to military information from Kyiv, Russia is again covering Ukraine with large rocket attacks. Air alerts went off across the country on Thursday morning. Several heavy explosions could also be heard in the center of the capital Kyiv, as a reporter from the German Press Agency reported on site.

According to reports, the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense was deployed to repel the attacks. It was initially unclear whether there were rocket hits. The detonations are also mainly when the Russian missiles or drones are shot down.

Klitschko warns of power outages

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko spoke of several explosions without giving any details. He warned of potential power outages and urged people to charge their cell phones and stock up on water supplies.

Attacks were reported by authorities in several parts of Ukraine in the south and west. Explosions were also reported from the Poltava, Odessa, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Lviv regions. Russian military bloggers published numerous unverifiable videos of smoke plumes following suspected hits.

Since October, Russia has repeatedly attacked the Ukrainian energy infrastructure at intervals of a few days, usually with dozens of missiles at a time. Some hit their targets, causing millions of people across the country to experience power outages during the winter.

The new wave was expected before the end of the year. There had already been drone attacks during the night. The Ukrainian military said in the morning that after the night drone strikes, the enemy is now attacking from different directions with missiles launched by air bombers and warships. There is a "high level of activity" by the occupiers, it said. The authorities urged people to urgently seek shelter in bunkers.