Explosions rock Kyiv as dangerous Russian escalation unfolds... What is happening at dawn?

The Ukrainian capital Kyiv was shaken this morning by violent explosions caused by a heavy Russian aerial attack, using ballistic missiles and drones in an operation described as the largest in weeks.

Alarms blared in the city's sky as drones flew at low altitudes, amid the buzzing sounds preceding the explosions, prompting thousands of civilians to rush to underground shelters.

The Ukrainian military authorities announced on their Telegram channel that Kyiv was under aerial attack with hostile missiles, confirming that the explosions were concentrated in the city center.

The scene was terrifying, with reports indicating at least 21 people injured, including a three-year-old child in critical condition, as announced by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

The situation on the ground was far from calm, as AFP reporters witnessed residents fleeing their homes and heading to lower floors in search of a safe haven after the alarm sirens went off.

Local authorities confirmed significant material damage in at least two areas within the capital.

The recent strikes bring back memories of the previous missile attack on Kyiv earlier this month, but they appear more coordinated and targeted, amidst escalating military actions on other fronts.

Alongside the attack on Kyiv, Russian forces targeted a Ukrainian port on the Black Sea, in addition to hitting the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in what is seen as a clear message to the Ukrainian leadership.

Meanwhile, Washington condemned the Russian attacks, considering what happened in Sumy as "beyond all ethical boundaries," in a stance reflecting escalating tensions between Moscow and the West.

The airstrikes raise fears of a new, more violent phase in the ongoing war for over two years, amid growing concerns about Kyiv's ability to withstand the intensified attacks.