KYIV, June 4 (Reuters) - Russia launched a wave of air attacks on Ukraine early on Sunday, with air defence systems repelling all missiles and drones on their approach to Kyiv, the capital's military officials said.
"Air defence destroyed everything that was heading towards the city already at their distant approaches."
Russia has repeatedly attacked Kyiv since May, chiefly at night, ahead of a long-expected Ukrainian counteroffensive to reclaim territory, in what Ukrainian officials say is an attempt to inflict psychological distress on civilians.
Reuters witnesses reported hearing several blasts in the Kyiv region, but not in the city, from what sounded like air defence systems hitting targets.
All of Ukraine was under air raid alerts for nearly three hours.
Persons:
Serhiy Popko, Gleb Garanich, Lidia Kelly, Daniel Wallis, William Mallard
Organizations:
Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Rih, Kropyvnitskyi, Sumy, Melbourne