A barrage of Russian missile and drone strikes killed nine people and wounded dozens across Ukraine, authorities said on Tuesday, just days after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow was preparing a "massive new strike"

Moscow has bombarded Ukraine almost daily since launching an offensive in 2022, often provoking retaliation from Kyiv, as talks to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II remain stalled

AFP journalists heard several explosions in the Ukrainian capital, where local authorities said Russia struck with ballistic missiles, setting off fires and cutting power in several districts

Residents rushed to shelters clutching bags and blankets, AFP journalists observed, as a large plume of smoke emanated from Kyiv's city centre. Deadly strikes, involving both missiles and drones, were also reported elsewhere

In the city of Dnipro, a Russian attack killed five people and wounded 25 others -- three of whom were in serious condition -- local governor Oleksandr Ganzha said

The strikes on Ukraine came after Zelensky said on Friday "we have intelligence information about Russia preparing a new massive strike" and called for people to "protect your lives"

Russia launched a record 8,150 long-range drones at Ukraine in May, an AFP analysis of Ukrainian air force data showed, up 24 percent from April