Terror has been unleashed onto the streets of Kyiv as Vladimir Putin followed through on his threats to unleash massive strikes on Ukraine's capital.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Russian forces launched waves of attacks from the skies on Dnipro, Kharkiv and the Ukrainian capital - leaving at least 10 dead and more than 60 wounded.
The major assault follows days of warnings from President Volodymyr Zelensky that Moscow was planning to launch "a massive strike".
In Dnipro, five people died and at least 25 have been injured after Russia attacked the southern city with missiles and drones, regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha confirmed on social media.
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Meanwhile in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the overnight air attacks have left at least four dead and injured more than 50 civilians - including children.
Mr Klitschko confirmed that a 24-storey apartment block has collapsed after being hit in a suspected missile strike -with a number of people believed to be trapped under the rubble.
The Kyiv Mayor also said a blaze has erupted at a nine-storey block after being hit with missile debris.
He added: "In the Obolon district, cars are burning after being struck by falling missile debris.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the overnight air attack have left at least four dead and injured more than 50 civilians in Kyiv
|REUTERS
"There are also fires at two locations in open areas, including one near a kindergarten."
In the eastern city of Kharkiv, 10 people have been injured - including a child - following a series of missile and drone strikes, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on social media.
Early on Tuesday morning, thousands of Kyiv residents flocked to the city's underground network to take shelter.
Many were spotted clutching personal belongings and mattresses as air defence systems blared out across the Ukrainian capital.
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Early on Tuesday morning, thousands of Kyiv residents flocked to the city's underground network to take shelter
|REUTERS
Mr Klitschko confirmed that a 24-storey apartment block has collapsed after being hit in a suspected missile strike
|REUTERS
On Monday, Mr Zelesnky had urged Ukrainians to brace for a series of attacks as he delivered his daily address.
He said: "Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible. They have prepared one.
"Our defenders are ready 24/7 to the fullest extent possible with the supplies currently available."
Last week, Moscow had threatened to hit Ukraine with "systematic strikes", claiming it intended to target key military targets in Kyiv.
On Monday, Mr Zelesnky had urged Ukrainians to brace for a series of attacks as he delivered his daily address
| GETTY
In Dnipro, five people died and at least 25 have been injured after Russia attacked the southern city
|REUTERS
Russia said the overnight bombardment was retaliation for a deadly strike by Ukrainian forces in the occupied region of Luhansk last month.
The assault hit a dormitory in the Moscow-controlled region of Ukraine and is believed to killed 21 people - but Kyiv has denied carrying out strike.
The latest Russian attack comes just over a week after a devastating barrage of Russian missiles and drones struck the Ukrainian capital.
More than 40 targets in Kyiv were hit during the strikes - which killed four people and left more than 50 wounded - including three children.
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