There was no immediate word on the origin of the explosions, but they sounded like air defense units firing into the sky. Kyiv is routinely targeted by Russian drone and missile attacks.

Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital with eight long-range ballistic missiles before dawn on Monday and four people were wounded by debris after air defences shot down the incoming salvo, officials said.

Explosions were heard in Kyiv after Ukrainian forces shot down eight Russian missiles targeting Kyiv in an air attack.