Ukraine suffered sweeping blackouts and water supplies were cut for 80% of Kyiv residents on Monday after what Ukrainian officials called another “massive” Russian missile attack on energy facilities.

The Ukrainian Army said “more than 50” cruise missiles were launched at targets across the country, days after Russia blamed Ukraine for drone attacks on its fleet in the Black Sea.

The Army said many missiles were shot down by air defences but Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said they had caused power cuts in “hundreds” of areas across seven Ukrainian regions.

Several blasts were heard in the capital Kyiv.

The Russian Army confirmed it had carried out cruise missile strikes and said they had all reached their intended targets.

Missile shot down

In Moldova, the government said a Russian missile shot down by Ukrainian air defences fell on a village in the north of the country, but without causing any injuries.

Monday’s attack comes after Russia pulled out of a landmark agreement that allowed vital grain shipments via a maritime safety corridor.

Despite Russia’s decision, two cargo ships loaded with grain and other agricultural products left Ukrainian ports on Monday, according to a marine traffic website.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that continuing grain exports without Russian participation was “hardly feasible”.

“It takes on a different character, much more risky, dangerous,” he said.

“Civilian cargo ships can never be a military target or held hostage. The food must flow,” Amir Abdulla, UN Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, said on Twitter.

The Ukrainian Army says ‘more than 50’ cruise missiles were launched at targets across the country

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