Three killed in Russian strikes near Kyiv, Ukraine says

Three people were ⁠also injured in the ​attack, he said.

Fires were reported in ​two districts in the capital following an air ​raid alert, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Reuters witnesses ​reported hearing several powerful ‌explosions that shook the city centre.

Ukraine is chronically short of air defences ​capable of downing Russia's ballistic ​missiles.

US-made Patriot systems are considered the most effective defence against ballistic missiles.

The Ukrainian military has several such systems, including some supplied by Germany.

However, Kyiv lacks ammunition for them as the war waged by the US and Israel against Iran has caused a global shortage.

Fears are growing in Kyiv that unchecked ballistic missile attacks could once again destroy infrastructure and plunge Ukraine into crisis.

with DPA