RUSSIAN strikes hit the Ukrainian capital Kiev and other cities today, killing at least seven people and damaging energy infrastructure, according to the United Nations.

The attack included more than 40 ballistic, cruise, anti-aircraft and guided missiles, officials reported, in what the UN said appeared to be the heaviest bombardment since early January when hundreds of Ukrainian and Russian civilians were killed or wounded in mutual shelling.

Ukraine’s air force, whose defences include Western-supplied systems, said that it intercepted 21 of the missiles.