Russia unleashes 'massive attack' on Kyiv, killing at least five

A wave of overnight Russian missile strikes has killed at least five people in the capital Kyiv and the surrounding region, Ukrainian authorities say.

Apartment blocks and warehouses were targeted in the "massive attack" on Thursday, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS). At least least 23 people were injured in the strikes.

Authorities are scrambling to rescue anyone trapped underneath the rubble of demolished buildings, with crews already pulling one survivor from debris.

Meanwhile, Poland's army has announced it will launch "preventative military aviation operations" amid the Russian strikes on Ukraine.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a children's hospital had been damaged in the overnight strikes, where windows were broken and cars set ablaze nearby.

An industrial centre in the Solomyanskyi district, south-west Kyiv, was also hit by missiles, the mayor said.

An attack in Brovary district of the broader Kyiv region killed one man and wounded another, Kyiv regional governor Tymur Tkachenko said.

The regional administration issued an alert earlier in the night warning residents to take shelter. It continued: "Air defense operations are possible in the area".

More missile alerts are still being issued throughout the night from regional authorities.

Kyiv has faced near nightly-attacks in recent weeks, some nights resulting in dozens of deaths and serious injuries.

In response, Russia has come under attacks from Ukrainian missiles and drones, increasing pressure on Moscow to engage in peace talks to end the four and a half year war.

Russia first launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory – largely concentrated in the eastern border regions.