Ukraine war latest LIVE: Wave of missiles strike Kyiv and other cities as Vladimir Putin issues new warning

Kyiv was rocked by large explosions on Monday morning as missiles rained down on cities across Ukraine in apparent retaliation for the attack on a key bridge linking Russia and Crimea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there were dead and wounded in blasts that rocked cities across country and accused Russia of trying to wipe his country "off the face of the earth."

“They are trying to destroy us and wipe us off the face of the earth...destroy our people who are sleeping at home in (the city of) Zaporizhzhia. Kill people who go to work in Dnipro and Kyiv,” Mr Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app.

Prime Minister Liz Truss has condemned the attacks, saying they were “a sign of Ukrainian success and increasing desperation by Putin in response” during a call with Mr Zelensky on Monday afternoon.

US President Joe Biden added: “These attacks killed and injured civilians and destroyed targets with no military purpose.They once again demonstrate the utter brutality of Mr Putin’s illegal war on the Ukrainian people.”

At least ten people have been killed and 60 have been injured, according to latest estimates.

In a speech on Monday, Vladimir Putin confirmed the strikes on a range of locations in Ukraine.

He also promised a “harsh” response to any further “terrorist” acts on Russian territory.

Key Points

• Multiple blasts rock capital Kyiv overnight

• Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed several strikes in the central Shevchenkivskyi district

• Strikes reported in host of other cities including Lviv, Dnipro and Kharkiv

• President Zelensky accuses Russia of ‘trying to destroy us and wipe us off the face of the earth'

• Vladimir Putin due to hold meeting with security council in wake of attack on Kerch Bridge to Crimea

Russia trying to wipe Ukraine ‘off the face of the earth’, says Zelensky

08:12 , Sarah Harvey

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there were dead and wounded in blasts that rocked cities across Ukraine on Monday and accused Russia of trying to wipe his country "off the face of the earth."

"They are trying to destroy us and wipe us off the face of the earth...destroy our people who are sleeping at home in (the city of) Zaporizhzhia. Kill people who go to work in Dnipro and Kyiv," Mr Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app.

"The air raid sirens do not subside throughout Ukraine. There are missiles hitting. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded."

BBC man runs for cover on air after blast

08:23 , Will Mata

BBC correspondent Hugo Bachega was reporting when a large noise could be heard and the live broadcast dipped out.

The broadcaster later confirmed he and his crew had reached shelter.

Where the fighting is happening

08:29 , Will Mata

Recent fighting has focused on the regions just north of Crimea, including Zaporizhzhia, where six missiles were launched overnight Saturday from Russian-occupied areas of the Zaporizhzhia region.

The explosions come as Vladimir Putin was set to hold a meeting of his national security council following a humiliating attack which left a strategic bridge in Crimea badly damaged.

Parts of the Kerch bridge lurched into the sea following the blast while Ukrainian forces have been advancing on other fronts across Ukraine.

The bridge, damaged early on Saturday morning, is vital in re-supplying Russian forces operating in Ukraine while the overall poor performance of the country’s miltary has drawn criticism inside the country.

Attack ‘absolute evil’

08:32 , Will Mata

Ukraine’s general staff said seven anti-aircraft guided missiles were used in the latest attack.

Russian aircraft launched at least 12 missiles in Sunday’s attack, partially destroying a nine-storey apartment block, levelling five other residential buildings and damaging many more, Starukh said on state-run television.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Sunday’s attack as “absolute evil”.

“This was a deliberate hit. Whoever gave the order and whoever carried it out knew what they were targeting,” he said in a video address.

Zaporizhzhia city, about 52 km (30 miles) from a Russian-held nuclear power plant, has been under frequent shelling in recent weeks, with 19 people killed on Thursday.

Russia denies targeting civilians and Vladimir Rogov, an official in the Russian-installed administration in Zaporizhzhia, said Ukrainian forces had shelled the city for “propaganda purposes”.

Most of the Zaporizhzhia region, including the nuclear plant, have been under Russian control since the early days of Russia’s invasion in February. The capital of the region, Zaporizhzhia city, remains under Ukrainian control.

Russian troops were continuing to focus their efforts on the strategically important eastern town of Bakhmut, having advanced up to 2 km (1.2 miles) towards the town over the last week, a British intelligence update said on Monday. Bakhmut sits on a main road in the industrial Donbas region, which Moscow says it intends to capture.

Explosions around Ukraine

08:38 , Will Mata

Russia's military hurled a barrage of missiles against Ukrainian cities early on Monday, including the capital Kyiv, striking civilian targets in what could be Moscow's retaliation for the bombing of a key bridge connecting Russia to its annexed territory of Crimea.

The first strikes on Kyiv in four months targeted the centre of the city and left dead and wounded, an emergency services spokesman told the Associated Press.

Blasts were reported in the city's Shevchenko district, a large area in the centre of Kyiv that includes the historic old town as well as several government offices, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Lesia Vasylenko, a member of Ukraine's parliament, posted a photo on Twitter showing that at least one explosion occurred near the main building of the Kyiv National University.

After the first early-morning strikes in Kyiv, more loud explosions were heard later in the morning in an intensification of Russia's attack that could spell a major escalation in the war.

Meanwhile, Associated Press journalists in the centre of Dnipro saw many bodies at an industrial site on the outskirts of the city. Windows in the area had been blown out and glass littered the street.

Ukrainian media also reported explosions in a number of other locations, including the western city of Lviv that has been a refuge for many people fleeing the fighting in the east, as well as Kharkiv, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr and Kropyvnytskyi.

In Lviv, energy infrastructure was hit, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi said.

The explosions were heard by AP journalists and appeared to be the result of missile strikes.

The multiple strikes came a few hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin was due to hold a meeting with his security council, as Moscow's war in Ukraine approaches its eight-month milestone and the Kremlin reels from humiliating battlefield setbacks in areas it is trying to annex amid a Ukrainian counteroffensive in recent weeks.

A day earlier, Mr Putin had called the attack on the Kerch Bridge to Crimea a terrorist act carried out by Ukrainian special services.

In a meeting on Sunday with the chairman of Russia's Investigative Committee, The Russian leader said "there's no doubt it was a terrorist act directed at the destruction of critically important civilian infrastructure".

Pictures: Attacks on Ukraine

08:44 , Will Mata

Video: Kyiv rocked by multiple explosions

08:45 , Will Mata

Ukraine’s defence ministry ‘will seek revenge’ over Russian missile strikes

08:49 , Will Mata

Ukraine’s defence ministry said it would seek revenge for Russian missile strikes that hit cities across Ukraine on Monday morning.

“There is sacrifice amongst people and destruction,” the ministry said on its Facebook page. “The enemy will be punished for the pain and death brought upon our land! We will get our revenge!”

At least five killed, 12 wounded in Ukrainian capital - police

09:03 , Will Mata

At least five people were killed and 12 wounded in Russian missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Monday, police said.

"Most hits were in the centre of the capital," the police said in a statement on its Facebook page. "At present, it is known that 12 were wounded. Five people were killed."

Pictures: Refugees in Spain and Portugal

09:19 , Will Mata

Update: At least eight have been killed in latest strike

09:22 , Will Mata

A Ukrainian ministry adviser has said at least eight people have been killed and 24 injured in a Russian strike on Kyiv.

The previous update had said there were five fatalities.

Top minister to head back to Ukraine

09:25 , Will Mata

Dmytro Kuleba, minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine, has tweeted that he is cutting his African tour short.“I am in constant contact with partners since early morning today to coordinate a resolute response to Russians attacks.

“I am also interrupting my Africa tour and heading back to Ukraine immediately.”

‘Putin’s only tactic is terror’

09:27 , Will Mata

Ukraine’s foreign minister has also commented on the situation at large.

Dmytro Kuleba tweeted: “Multiple Russian missile strikes across Ukraine. Putin’s only tactic is terror on peaceful Ukrainian cities, but he will not break Ukraine down. This is also his response to all appeasers who want to talk with him about peace: Putin is a terrorist who talks with missiles.”

Ukraine says it has shot down at least 41 Russian missiles

09:29 , Will Mata

Ukraine’s top general said Ukrainian forces shot down at least 41 missiles that were fired at Ukraine by Russia on Monday morning.

“This morning, 75 missiles were launched. 41 of them were neutralised by our air defence,” General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, wrote on Twitter.

Loud explosions heard in Russia’s Belgorod region - agency

09:34 , Will Mata

A loud explosion was heard on Monday morning in Russia's Belgorod region, close to the border with Ukraine, two witnesses told Reuters.

The witnesses reported a loud bang and windows shaking.

Russia's RIA Novosti news agency cited local officials as saying the blast was caused by explosions of ammunition at a landfill site.

Belgorod region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that in a separate incident, Ukrainian forces fired on border villages on Monday.

Reuters was unable to verify battlefield reports.

11 infrastructure facilities hit

09:54 , Will Mata

Eleven important infrastructure facilities in eight regions and the city of Kyiv were damaged in strikes, Ukraine’s prime minister has said.

Zelensky arranges meeting with German chancellor

10:09 , Sarah Harvey

- Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to hold an urgent meeting with German chancellor Olaf Scholz.

- Moldova has said three cruise missiles crossed its air space on Monday and that the Russian ambassador has been summoned.

- British foreign minister James Cleverly has communicated with his Ukrainian counterpart to “reinforce” the UK’s ongoing support. Mr Cleverly called the action by Russian premier “a demonstration of weakness, not strength”.

Belarus, Russia to form joint military group, Lukashenko says

10:11 , Will Mata

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Belarus and Russia will deploy a joint military task force in response to what he called an aggravation of tension on the country’s western borders, the state-run Belta news agency reported on Monday.

Lukashenko said the two countries would deploy a regional military group, and had started pulling forces together two days ago, apparently after the explosion on Russia’s bridge to Crimea.

Russian forces used Belarus as a staging post for their Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, sending troops and equipment into northern Ukraine from bases in Belarus.

Pictures: Ukraine comes to terms after Russian missile strike

10:25 , Will Mata

EU leaders respond

10:35 , Sarah Harvey

- Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has held an ‘urgent phone call’ with French president Emmanuel Macron,

- Mr Zelensky wrote on Twitter: “Also had an urgent call with @EmmanuelMacron. We discussed the strengthening of our air defence, the need for a tough European and international reaction, as well as increased pressure on the Russian Federation. France stands with Ukraine.”

- Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo has described the bombardment of Kyiv as “unacceptable escalation”.

Vladimir Putin and Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan to hold talks

10:55 , Will Mata

The Kremlin said on Monday that Russian president Vladimir Putin may meet Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan at a security summit in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana this week.

When asked about whether they could discuss Mr Erdogan’s proposals to host talks on Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters this was possible.

Summary: Vladimir Putin speaks out on Ukraine war

11:22 , Will Mata

Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Ukraine had carried out “terrorist acts” against Russia and pledged to react forcefully if they continued.

In televised remarks, Mr Putin said Moscow had launched long-range missile attacks against Ukraine’s energy, military and communications infrastructure on Monday in retaliation for an attack on a vital bridge linking Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula over the weekend.

“It is obvious that the Ukrainian secret services ordered, organised and carried out the terrorist attack aimed at destroying Russia’s critical civilian infrastructure,” Mr Putin said of the bridge explosion.

Ukrainian officials were exultant after the blast but Kyiv has not claimed responsibility.

Mr Putin said Russia would respond “harshly” to any further attacks by Ukraine.

“If attempts continue to carry out terrorist acts on our territory, Russia’s responses will be harsh and in their scale will correspond to the level of threats created for the Russian Federation. No one should have any doubt about that,” Mr Putin said.

UN chief says grain deal could be extended despite fresh strikes

11:28 , Sarah Harvey

The UN aid chief Martin Griffiths voiced confidence on Monday that a UN-brokered deal allowing Ukrainian Black Sea grains exports could be extended and even expanded despite apparent revenge strikes by Russia on Kyiv on Monday.

“Our view at the UN is we of course should seek its renewal, and I’m reasonably confident that we will see it (renewed) but also that it needs to go beyond a four-month cycle. We need to see it renewed for a year,” Griffiths said in a Geneva press briefing in response to a question about the impact of the latest escalation in the more-than-7-month-war.

EU condemns 'heinous' Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities

11:37 , Sami Quadri

The European Commission condemned Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday that killed civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure as “heinous attacks”.

"They are barbaric and cowardly attacks", Peter Stano, a spokesperson for the European Union's executive arm told a regular news briefing.

He described the strikes as a contravention of international humanitarian law and said it amounted a “further escalation” of the war in Ukraine that was totally unacceptable.

G7 to hold talks on Tuesday after Russian missile strikes

11:41 , Sami Quadri

The Group of Seven (G7) countries will hold talks on Tuesday after Russian missile strikes hit multiple Ukrainian cities, a German government spokesperson said on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will address leaders at the start of the virtual talks, the spokesperson said, adding that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had assured Zelenskiy of support in a phone call.

Strikes hit building that houses German consulate in Kyiv

11:53 , Sami Quadri

A building that houses a German consulate in Kyiv was hit during Russian missile strikes, the foreign ministry said.

German officials added that the building has not been in use the war broke out.

A Government spokesperson added that Germany expected to deliver an air defence system to Ukraine soon and three more next year, without giving exact timelines.

Russia says “massive” strikes hit all designated targets

12:08 , Sami Quadri

Russia's Defense Ministry said that strikes waged against Ukraine on Monday hit all the designated targets.

Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said the Russian military launched “massive strikes on military command and communication facilities and energy infrastructure of Ukraine.”

“The goals behind the strikes have been fulfilled, all the designated facilities have been struck,” he said.

Ukraine says Russia had been preparing attacks since start of October

12:30 , Sami Quadri

Russia had been planning missile strikes on Ukrainian cities since the start of October, Ukrainian military intelligence said.

“According to the military intelligence of Ukraine, the Russian occupying forces received instructions from the Kremlin to prepare massive missile strikes on the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine on October 2 and 3,” the intelligence arm of the Ukrainian defence ministry said in a statement.

“The military units of the strategic and long-range aviation received orders to prepare for the task of massive missile attacks. The objects of critical civil infrastructure and the central areas of densely populated Ukrainian cities were identified as targets.”

Metro back in use in Kyiv

12:50 , Will Mata

Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, has said train services on all underground lines have now resumed. They had been suspended due to Russian missile strikes across the city.

Reports on social media showed people using the metro across the city.

At least ten have died - Ukraine police

12:54 , Will Mata

Ukrainian authorities have updated their death toll. The police have said ten have died and 60 have been injured in blasts across Kyiv on Monday.

Earlier, it was reported that at least eight had been killed.

NATO condemns “horrific” Russian attacks on Ukraine

13:11 , Will Mata

NATO has condemned the attacks by Russia on civilian targets in Ukraine.

The alliance’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg tweeted on Monday: “[I] spoke with foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and condemned Russia’s horrific and indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

“NATO will continue supporting the brave Ukrainian people to fight back against the Kremlin’s aggression for as long as it takes.”

Liz Truss to meet fellow G7 leaders to hold Ukraine crisis talks

13:23 , Will Mata

Liz Truss and fellow leaders of G7 nations will hold crisis talks on the situation in Ukraine on Tuesday.

The prime minister's official spokesman condemned Vladimir Putin's "reckless" violence against the people of Ukraine.

"Contrary to Putin's ludicrous rhetoric, we're clear it's the Ukrainians who have seen their lives destroyed by needless and senseless Russian violence, and we will continue to support them to ensure Russia fails in Ukraine," the spokesman said.

"We are keeping a close eye on these increasingly reckless tactics being used by Russia in response to Ukraine's advance."

Video: Russian combat crews launch new space rocket carrying navigation tech

13:30 , Will Mata

India ‘deeply concerned’ about escalation in Ukraine

13:38 , Will Mata

India is "deeply concerned" at the escalation of conflict in Ukraine, and willing to support all attempts at de-escalation, a spokesperson for the country's foreign ministry said on Monday.

Russia fired cruise missiles at cities across Ukraine during rush hour on Monday morning, killing civilians and knocking out power and heat, in what president Vladimir Putin declared to be revenge for Ukrainian attacks including on a bridge to Crimea.

"We reiterate that escalation of hostilities is in no ones interest. We urge immediate cessation of hostilities and the urgent return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue," foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a statement.

Power restored after cuts at border crossings

13:42 , Will Mata

Two border crossings between Poland and Ukraine experienced power cuts on the Ukrainian side, but electricity had been restored by early afternoon, a spokesperson for Poland’s border guard said after Russia struck cities across Ukraine on Monday.

The cuts affected the Medyka and Korczowa border crossings earlier on Monday, Polish Border Guard spokesperson Anna Michalska told Reuters by telephone.

She added that at the moment there was no increased movement at the Polish border after the Russian strikes.

“In connection with enemy strikes and damage to critical infrastructure facilities in the west of Ukraine, there may be disruption in the work of crossings on borders with EU countries and the Republic of Moldova,” the western regional office of the Ukrainian border service said on Facebook.

Video: Vladimir Putin vows revenge for ‘terrorist attack' after Crimea explosion

13:45 , Will Mata

Update: Air raid sirens, Death toll now 11

13:51 , Will Mata

Ukraine’s state emergency service has given an updated death toll of 11 following Russian missile strikes on Ukraine on Monday.

The latest figure is up from one a few hours earlier, while at least 64 have been injured.

Air raid sirens wailed in Kyiv again on Monday afternoon following Russian missile strikes earlier in the day, Reuters witnesses said.

Red Cross halts work in Ukraine for security reasons

13:56 , Will Mata

The International Committee of the Red Cross and at least one other aid group have temporarily halted their work in Ukraine for security reasons, a spokesperson told Reuters on Monday, after Russia fired missiles at cities across Ukraine.

“For security reasons, our teams have paused operations today,” a spokesperson said in an emailed response to a Reuters question. The ICRC has some 700 staff working at 10 locations across the country and delivers aid and medicine, including to the millions of people displaced by the ongoing conflict.

The Norwegian Refugee Council also said that it had halted its aid operations in Ukraine until it is safe to resume.

“We cannot aid vulnerable communities when our aid workers are hiding from a barrage of bombs and in fear of repeated attacks,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the NRC.

‘Reports we are losing are a myth’ - Russia claim

14:01 , Will Mata

It is a “myth” that Russia is losing its war in Ukraine, a member of the Duma for Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party and state television presenter has claimed.

Evgeny Popov also blamed Ukrainian anti-missile systems for the striking of civilian targets including a children’s playground in a series of apparent missile attacks on the country’s cities.

When it was was put to him that the strikes were a mark of frustration in Moscow because Russia is losing the war, he told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: “It’s a myth, we’re not losing everything. We are in the process of our special military operation.”

Asked about the targeting of civilian infrastructure, Mr Popov said: “If you see some missiles and blows on children grounds, it was a result of the work of anti-missile system, Ukrainian system. All our missiles was targeted (at) energy infrastructure, communication centres and military headquarters...

“We’re not going to attack civilians in Ukraine, we’re not going to attack people. We’re going to finish this war. We’re going to protect people in Russia”.

“UK will strengthen its unwavering support” - Ukraine foreign minister

14:09 , Will Mata

Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has reported a positve outcome from his meeting with British counterpart James Cleverly.

Mr Kuleba tweeted: “Mr Cleverly assured me the UK will strengthen its unwavering support. I stressed we need air defence systems; Russia must be recognised a terrorist state.

“Just like the UK withstood the Nazi Blitz, Ukraine will withstand Russia’s missile blitz. Nothing will break us down.”

Pictures: Events in the Ukraine-Russia conflict from October 10

14:26 , Will Mata

Russian pop star safe in Israel after denouncing Putin

14:53 , Will Mata

Soviet pop sar Alla Pugacheva said she is in Israel, three weeks after she denounced president Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine for turning Russia into “a global pariah”.

“I thank my multi-million army of fans for their love and support, for the ability to distinguish truth from lies,” Ms Pugacheva, 73, a Soviet and then post-Soviet icon who is probably Russia’s most famous woman, said on Instagram.

“From the Holy Land, I pray for you and for peace,” she said. “I am happy!”

Ms Pugacheva has in the past been feted by both Mr Putin and his predecessor as president, Boris Yeltsin. When Mikhail Gorbachev died in August, she praised the last Soviet leader for allowing freedom and rejecting violence.

Russia stands for ‘terror and brutality’

15:04 , Will Mata

Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen have shared their solidarity with Ukraine over the attacks in Kyiv and beyond.

The pair shared statements in a video on Twitter about the situation. Ms von der Leyen states: “I am shocked and appalled by the vicious attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Russia once again has shown to the world what it stands for – it is terror and brutality.

“Those who are responsible have to be held accountable. We are mourning the victims, and I send my heartfelt condolences to our Ukrainian friends. I know Ukrainians will not be intimidated, and Ukrainians know that we will stand by their side as long as it takes.”

Truss speaks to Zelensky following attacks on Kyiv

15:47 , Miriam Burrell

Liz Truss has spoken to Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky following the Russian attacks on Kyiv and other cities.

Mr Zelensky said Ukraine counts on the UK’s “leadership in consolidating international political and defence support for Ukraine, in particular regarding the protection of our skies” and also the “further isolation of Russia”.

Crimea bridge blast: Why is it important and what happened?

16:01 , Miriam Burrell

The road-and-rail bridge linking Russia and the Crimean peninsula was damaged in a powerful blast on Saturday, hitting a crucial supply route for Russian forces in Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin has branded the blast a “terrorist attack” by Ukrainian security services and ordered a wave of retaliatory strikes, including in the capital Kyiv.

Crimea and Russia link

The 12-mile Crimea Bridge is the only direct link between the transport network of Russia and the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

The bridge was a flagship project for Putin, who opened it himself for road traffic in 2018.

Why it matters

The bridge is crucial for the supply of fuel, food and other products to Crimea, where the port of Sevastopol is the historic home base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.

It also became a major supply route for Russian forces after Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Who targeted the bridge?

Putin has said it “is obvious that the Ukrainian secret services ordered, organised and carried out the terrorist attack” on the bridge.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the blast on the bridge but has celebrated it.

PM: Attacks on Ukraine sign of ‘increasing desperation by Putin’

16:24 , Miriam Burrell

Downing Street said Liz Truss “strongly condemned” Vladimir Putin’s “appalling attacks on civilian areas” in her call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“The Prime Minister said that these are a sign of Ukrainian success and increasing desperation by Putin in response.

“The Prime Minister stressed that the UK stands wholeheartedly behind President Zelensky and Ukraine. Putin’s destructive rhetoric and behaviour will not diminish our resolve. The leaders welcomed the deliveries of British military aid which continue to arrive in Ukraine.

“The Prime Minister and President Zelensky looked ahead to tomorrow’s virtual meeting of G7 leaders, which President Zelensky will join.

“They agreed it offers an important opportunity to reemphasise the unity of opposition to Putin’s despicable campaign.”

A recap: What happened today?

16:53 , Miriam Burrell

Russia retaliated for what it claimed was a Ukrainian terrorist attack on the Crimea Bridge by unleashing its biggest and most widespread attacks in months.

At least 11 people have been killed. Ukraine’s Emergency Service said 64 people were wounded.

Though some missiles apparently targeted energy facilities, others struck civilian areas during the morning rush-hour. One hit a playground in downtown Kyiv.

Putin vowed a “tough” and “proportionate” response should Ukraine carry out further attacks that threaten Russia’s security. “No one should have any doubts about it,” he said.

Russian forces targeted civilian areas and energy facilities in 10 cities, Zelenskyy said. The Russians “chose such a time and such targets on purpose to inflict the most damage,” he said.

The morning strikes sent Kyiv residents into bomb shelters for the first time in months.

G7 to meet virtually on Tuesday

17:20 , Miriam Burrell

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the G7 on Tuesday.

The Group of Seven industrial powers will hold virtual crisis talks on the situation in Ukraine.

Ukraine stepped up calls for western allies to provide anti-air and anti-missile systems in response to the attacks.

Mr Zelensky will address G7 leaders when they take part in the virtual meeting at 1pm on Tuesday.

The talks are expected to emphasise the unity of opposition to Mr Putin’s campaign.

Biden: Attacks on Ukraine had ‘no military purpose'

17:27 , Miriam Burrell

US President Joe Biden has condemned Russia’s missile strikes in Ukraine, saying they demonstrated the “utter brutality” of Putin’s war on the Ukrainian people.

“These attacks killed and injured civilians and destroyed targets with no military purpose. They once again demonstrate the utter brutality of Mr Putin’s illegal war on the Ukrainian people,” Biden said in a statement.

Ukraine halts energy exports to EU

17:49 , Miriam Burrell

The Ukrainian energy ministry said it will halt exports of electricity to the European Union following Russian missile strikes on energy infrastructure on Monday.

“Today’s missile strikes, which hit the thermal generation and electrical substations, forced Ukraine to suspend electricity exports from October 11, 2022 to stabilise its own energy system,” the ministry said in a statement on its website.

Missile strikes cause blackouts

18:22 , Miriam Burrell

Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s power network caused blackouts in many parts of the country and prompted Kyiv to halt electricity exports.

Attacks left four regions temporarily without electricity, and supplies were disrupted in several other areas, the State Emergency Service said.

Authorities in Kyiv asked civilians and businesses to limit energy use, and the energy ministry said it was halting electricity exports to the European grid.

Long queues formed at petrol stations in some areas.

Kyiv city authorities called on residents and businesses to limit electricity consumption from pm until 10pm.

Labour condemns ‘unjustifiable attacks'

18:43 , Miriam Burrell

Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “deeply concerned” for the Ukrainian people, after Russian attacks on the capital Kyiv and other cities.

The Labour leader tweeted: “I’m deeply concerned for the people of Kyiv and Ukraine as Russia escalates its unjustifiable attacks.

“The loss suffered by Ukrainians is immeasurable.

“The UK is firmly united in condemning Putin’s latest wave of violence and destruction. We stand with Ukraine, today & always.”

UN humanitarian work disrupted

19:56 , Miriam Burrell

The United Nations and other aid organisations in Ukraine said that missiles across the country had disrupted their humanitarian work.

“The wave of attacks, claimed by Russia, has... impacted humanitarian operations across Ukraine, particularly hampering the movement of aid workers and delivery of emergency supplies in the east of the country, where people are in desperate need of assistance,” the UN humanitarian office said in a report.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has some 700 staff at 10 locations across the country and delivers aid and medicine, said that its teams had paused operations.

The Norwegian Refugee Council also said that it had halted its aid operations in Ukraine until it is safe to resume.

“People are heartbroken that they had to freeze out work today. Hopefully we can start work again even as early as tomorrow,” spokesperson Jan Egeland told Reuters.

Live coverage ends

21:28 , Miriam Burrell

That’s all for our live coverage today.

Please check back in tomorrow.