At least nine people killed, dozens wounded in Russian attacks on Ukraine

Ukrainian authorities say at least nine people have been killed and dozens wounded in Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine , days after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was preparing a major assault.

Russia launched 656 drones and 73 missiles at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s air force said on Tuesday.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least four people were killed in the Ukrainian capital and 58, including two children, were wounded in the “mass enemy attack”.

“Explosions in the city. Air defence forces are working! Stay in shelters!” Klitschko had warned earlier.

In the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine, a Russian attack killed five people and wounded 25, three of whom were in serious condition, Dnipropetrovsk Governor Oleksandr Ganzha said.

Ten people, including a child, were wounded in the city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Reporting from Kyiv, Al Jazeera’s Audrey Macalpine said the government had warned Ukrainians about a potential large-scale Russian attack and many had been sheltering in place.

Russia’s military said the bombardment targeted Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.