Explosions Reported in Multiple Ukrainian Cities
According to the Interfax Ukraine news agency, explosions have been reported in several central and southern cities in Ukraine, including Dnipro and Mykolaiv. Air raid sirens have been heard across the country, and social media channels are reporting blasts in Kyiv and the surrounding region.
The explosions were heard in Dnipro, Kremenchuk, and Poltava in central Ukraine in the early hours of Friday. Meanwhile, reports of explosions were also heard in Mykolaiv in the south. A resident of Kyiv told Al Jazeera via text message that they woke up to explosions that felt like an earthquake.
Authorities in the capital have confirmed that air defence systems are working, but there are no immediate reports on the extent of the damage or any casualties. The raids come as Ukraine prepares for a major counteroffensive to retake territory in the country’s east and south that is occupied by the Russians.
The situation is still developing, and more information is expected to emerge in the coming hours.