At least eight people are reported to have been killed in Kyiv with several other cities being targeted in Russian missile attacks.
Rostyslav Smyrnov, an aide to the interior minister, said six cars had caught fire after the initial attack – and another 15 vehicles were damaged.
Explosions have also been heard in Lviv, Ternopil, Dnipro, Zhytomyr, and Zaporizhzhia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on his Telegram account: “They are trying to destroy us and wipe us off the face of the Earth. In general, destroy our people who are sleeping at home in Zaporizhzhia. Kill people who go to work in Dnipro and Kyiv.
“The air alarm does not subside throughout Ukraine. There are missiles hitting. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded. Please do not leave shelters. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Let’s hold on and be strong.”
Air sirens across Ukraine as multiple cities hit – war latest
Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said some critical infrastructure had been hit, adding: “The capital is under attack from Russian terrorists!
“The rockets hit objects in the city centre (in the Shevchenkiv district) and in the Solomyan district. The air alert, and therefore the threat, continues.
“I appeal to all residents of the capital: stay in shelters during the alarm. If there is no urgent need, it is better not to go to the city today.”
A witness told the Reuters news agency that black smoke was seen rising from a building in the city centre following the sound of a blast.
Others on social media posted images alleging to be from the city, with some claiming a “missile attack” was “struck down” by Ukrainian forces.
The last attack on Kyiv was in June with one missile hitting an apartment building, killing one and injuring six.
Sky News security and defence editor Deborah Haynes said: “There’s been relative calm there in recent months.
“This is very unusual to have strikes right in the heart of the city, where the government offices are.
“We don’t yet have confirmation of what has been hit… but an adviser to the president has tweeted just now calling Russia a terrorist state again with photographs of flames behind a building.”
It comes just days after an explosion on the Kerch Strait Bridge that links occupied Crimea to Russia.
The blast caused serious damage and will further squeeze supply lines for Kremlin forces fighting in Ukraine.
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Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, accused Ukraine special forces of carrying out the strike.
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However, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, tweeted: “Putin accuses Ukraine of terrorism? Sounds too cynical even for Russia.
“Less than 24 hours ago (Russian) planes hit residential area of Zaporizhzhia with 12 missiles, killing 13 people and injuring more than 50.
“There is only one terrorist state here and the whole world knows who it is.”
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