Russia-Ukraine latest: Kyiv under Russian air attack; Cruise missile violates Polish airspace
Russia launches airstrikes on Kyiv and the Lviv regions, with one missile breaching Polish airspace. Vladimir Putin has declared a nationwide day of mourning after at least 133 people were killed in a terror attack at a Moscow music venue.
Key points
- Russian airstrike hits 'critical infrastructure' in Lviv View post
- Russian missile violated Polish airspace, Warsaw says View post
- Crimea attack could show change in Ukrainian tactics - analysis View post
- Number of people killed in concert attack rises to 133 View post
- Four gunmen and seven others arrested over massacre View post
- Nationwide day of mourning begins in Russia View post
- Explained: Everything we know about the Russian concert shooting View post
- Analysis: Russia may use attack to justify mass mobilisation of soldiers View post
- Watch: Video shows gunmen storming Moscow concert hall View post
- Live reporting by Andy Hayes
Ukraine ramps up electricity imports following Russian attacks
Ukraine has increased imports of electricity and halted exports after a series of Russian missile and drone attacks.
"For the current day, electricity imports are forecast at 14,900 megawatt hour (Mwh)," the Ukrainian energy ministry said.
"No exports are expected."
Russia has said its assaults early on Sunday targeted Ukraine's electric power and gas-producing facilities.
Generation and transmission plants were also attacked by Russia on Friday, causing significant blackouts in many regions.
On Sunday, energy facilities in three Ukrainian regions were targeted.
Russia focused on a critical infrastructure plant in the Lviv region, the ministry said.
"Equipment caught fire and the facility was de-energised," it said.
"There were no casualties. The consequences are being assessed."
The ministry added that power lines in the Kyiv region were damaged, with 1,400 households losing power.
Flag lowered at Moscow White House on day of national morning
The flag on the White House in Moscow - the building that houses the Russian parliament - has been lowered.
Russia is observing a day of national mourning following the attack on a concert hall northwest of the Russian capital.
The assault, in which more than 130 people were killed, has been claimed by an affiliate of Islamic State.
On screens in Moscow there are images of candles and the words "we mourn".
Pics: Sky News
'Vile': Pope condemns concert hall attack
The attack on a concert hall near Moscow was a "vile" act that offends God, Pope Francis has said.
Speaking in St Peter's Square following a Palm Sunday mass, he said his thoughts were with the victims.
"I assure my prayers for the victims of the vile terrorist attack carried out in Moscow, may the Lord receive them in his peace, comfort their families and convert the hearts of those who ... carry out these inhuman actions that offend God," he said.
The attack, which has been claimed by an affiliate of Islamic State, is the deadliest on Russian soil for years.
More than 130 people were killed.
Russia is observing a day of national mourning.
Reuters
Russia says it attacked Ukrainian power facilities
Russia struck Ukraine's electric power and gas-producing facilities in a series of missile and drone attacks on Sunday morning, its defence ministry has said.
It used "high-precision weapons", the Interfax news agency reported.
Ukrainian defences destroyed 18 of 29 Russia-launched missiles and 25 of 28 attack drones, Ukraine's air force said on Telegram.
Analysis: Crimea attack could show change in Ukrainian tactics
The Ukrainians' overnight attack on Russian Black Sea assets in Crimea could suggest a change in tactics, Sky News defence analyst Sean Bell has said.
As we reported earlier (09.07) the Ukrainian military said it hit two large Russian landing ships, plus other infrastructure used by Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
Air defences shot down more than 10 missiles over the port of Sevastopol, a Russian official said.
So why would Ukraine place a stronger focus on Crimea?
Bell explained: "One of the reasons is that Russia is pushing forward in the Donbas at the moment and there is a view that it's going to be difficult for Ukraine to withstand that, and it'll have to ease back.
"But if you were to pressurise Crimea and the strategically important port of Sevastopol, you might not take Crimea, but if you put it under threat - the Black Sea fleet has already been moved to the east - that's the Crown Jewels for Putin - it could be part of the ongoing battle around negotiations, so it may be a shift in tactics for the Ukrainians."
Poland tells Russia to 'stop terrorist air attacks' on Ukraine
Poland has called on Russia to stop what it called "terrorist air attacks" on Ukraine.
It also said it would demand "explanations" from Moscow following "another violation" of its airspace.
As we reported earlier (6.43) one of a series of cruise missiles launched by Russia against Ukraine overnight briefly violated Poland's airspace, the country's military has said.
An army spokesman said it travelled about 1.2 miles (2km) into Polish territory.
The Polish foreign ministry said on X: "Poland will demand explanations from Russia in connection with another violation of the country's airspace.
"Above all, we call on the Russian Federation to stop terrorist air attacks on the inhabitants and territory of Ukraine."
The head of Kyiv's military administration, Serhiy Popko, said Russia used cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers.
An air alert in the Ukrainian capital lasted for more than two hours as rockets entered Kyiv in groups from the north.
The attacks were launched from the Engels district in the Saratov region of Russia, Mr Popko added.
According to preliminary data, there were no casualties or damage in the capital, he said.
Russian Black Sea landing ships attacked in Crimea, Ukraine says
The Ukrainian military has said it hit two large Russian landing ships during overnight strikes on Crimea.
Kyiv said it had also struck a communications centre and other infrastructure used by Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
Crimea was forcibly annexed by Russia in 2014.
Ukraine did not say how it hit the targets.
However, a Russian official in the peninsula said air defences had shot down more than 10 missiles over the port of Sevastopol.
"The defence forces of Ukraine successfully hit the Azov and Yamal large landing ships, a communications centre and also several infrastructure facilities of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in temporarily occupied Crimea," Ukraine's military said.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, said on Telegram that transport infrastructure, including passenger boats, was partially damaged.
"Of the six boats, five had their windows broken," he said.
Three passenger buses, 13 school buses and one trolley bus were among vehicles that had been damaged, he added.
Sky News is unable to verify the reports.
The Russian landing ship Yamal in the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, in December 2017Reuters
Russian airstrike hits 'critical infrastructure' in Lviv
A Russian air strike has hit critical infrastructure in the western Ukrainian region of Lviv, local governor Maksym Kozytskyi has said.
"There were two preliminary hits to the same critical infrastructure facility that the occupiers targeted at night," Mr Kozytskyi said on Telegram.
As we reported below, Russia attacked both Lviv and the capital, Kyiv, with 57 missiles and drones early on Sunday, officials said.
Ukrainian defences destroyed 18 of 29 Russia-launched missiles and 25 of 28 attack drones, Ukraine's air force said on Telegram.
Ukraine's air force 'destroys 18 Russian missiles and 25 drones'
Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and western city of Lviv with 57 missiles and drones on Sunday, officials said.
Several explosions were heard in Kyiv early on Sunday.
Ukrainian defences destroyed 18 of 29 Russia-launched missiles and 25 of 28 attack drones, Ukraine's air force said on Telegram.
Over the capital and in its vicinity, Ukrainian air defences destroyed about a dozen missiles, the head of Kyiv's military administration, Serhiy Popko, said on Telegram.
The damage had been minor, he added.
Russian assaults over recent days have been portrayed as revenge for alleged Ukrainian attacks during the recent presidential election in Russia.
"For the third pre-dawn morning this week, all of Ukraine is under an air alert and has been advised to seek shelter," US ambassador Bridget Brink said on social media.
"Russia continues to indiscriminately launch drones and missiles with no regard for millions of civilians, violating international law."
Russia's defence ministry did not reply to a request for comment.
As we reported earlier (6.43) Poland has said one of the missiles briefly violated its airspace.
The explosion from a missile over Kyiv early on SundayReuters
Russia mourns victims of concert hall massacre
Russia lowered flags to half mast on Sunday for a day of mourning after the deadly rock concert attack outside Moscow.
Vladimir Putin has pledged to track down and punish all those behind the massacre, which left 133 people dead, including three children, and more than 150 injured.
In an address to the nation, Mr Putin said: "I express my deep, sincere condolences to all those who lost their loved ones.
"The whole country and our entire people are grieving with you."
A Russian flag flies at half mast in MoscowReuters
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for Friday's attack, but Mr Putin has not publicly mentioned the terror group in connection with the gunmen, who he said had been trying to escape to Ukraine.
Kyiv has strongly denied any role in the attack.
Meanwhile, people have laid flowers at Crocus City Hall, the 6,200-seat concert venue near Moscow where four men armed with automatic weapons ran amok on Friday evening, killing indiscriminately.
It was the deadliest attack on Russian territory since the 2004 Beslan school siege, when Islamist militants took more than
1,000 people, including hundreds of children, hostage.
Russian missile violated Polish airspace, Warsaw says
One of the cruise missiles launched by Russia in strikes against Ukraine overnight briefly violated Poland's airspace, the country's military has said.
"The object entered Polish space near the town of Oserdow and stayed there for 39 seconds," the armed forces said on social media platform X.
"During the entire flight, it was observed by military radar systems."
An army spokesman said it travelled about 1.2 miles (2km) into Polish territory.
Earlier, the military said Polish and allied aircraft had been activated during the attack to safeguard Poland's airspace.
An army spokesman later said Polish airspace was now safe and there had been no further breaches.
Four gunmen among 11 people arrested after music venue massacre in Russia
Four gunmen are among 11 people detained in connection with the massacre at Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has tried to blame Ukraine for the attack - prompting an angry response from Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But the men are reportedly from Tajikistan and an Afghan IS affiliate has already claimed responsibility.
Here's our morning lead with the latest following the massacre that left at least 133 people dead on Friday.
Russia shoots down missiles over Crimean port city
Russia shot down more than 10 missiles over the Crimean port of Sevastopol overnight, a Russian-installed official said.
Mikhail Razvozhayev said the Russian military was "repelling a massive attack" on the city.
One woman suffered a shrapnel injury and infrastructure was damaged, including an office building and a gas line, he added.
Crimea was annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
Poland activates military aircraft after attacks on western Ukraine
Russia has launched air strikes on the western Ukrainian region of Lviv in the past few hours.
The attack on western Ukraine, with missiles flying close to Poland, prompted Polish armed forces to "activate aircraft" to ensure the safety of airspace near its border.
Poland's armed forces said on X: "The Operational Command of the armed forces is observing intense long-range aviation activity of the Russian Federation tonight, related to air and missile strikes on objects located in the territory of Ukraine.
"All necessary procedures to ensure the safety of Polish airspace have been launched, and DO RSZ is monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis.
"We warn that Polish and allied aircraft have been activated, which may result in increased noise levels, especially in the south-eastern part of the country."
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on Telegram there were no attacks on the city but some 20 missiles and seven attack drones targeted "critical infrastructure" in the wider Lviv region.
Meanwhile, in Kyiv, in the centre of Ukraine, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said there were several explosions.
Ukraine air defence forces destroyed about a dozen of the Russia-launched missiles over Kyiv and surrounding areas, according to Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration.
There are no reported casualties at this stage.
People sheltering in a metro station in KyivReuters
Kim Jong Un sends condolences to Putin
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a message of sympathy to Vladimir Putin over the massacre at Crocus City Hall, KCNA state news agency reports.
Mr Kim "expressed deep condolences and sympathy" to the Russian people, the victims and their families on the news of heavy casualties caused by "a large-scale terrorist attack".
The message said: "Consistent is the stand of the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] government opposing all sorts of terrorism and nothing can justify the heinous terrorism threatening human life."
Islamic State releases footage it says shows concert attack
The Islamic State has released a video of what it says is the attack on a concert hall near Moscow.
The one-minute, 31-second video shows a close-up view of one of the gunmen opening fire on several people as he enters what appears to be the venue.
Islamic State yesterday claimed responsibility for the attack, and the US has said there is no reason to doubt their claims.
IS bears sole responsibility for attack - Russia was warned, says US
The Islamic State bears sole responsibility for the deadly concert attack, says a US national security council spokesperson.
Adrienne Watson said Ukraine had no involvement.
Vladimir Putin earlier claimed the attackers were heading towards Ukraine when they were detained, and that a "window" had been prepared for them to cross the border - without providing evidence.
"ISIS bears sole responsibility for this attack. There was no Ukrainian involvement whatsoever," said Ms Watson.
The US government shared information with Russia early this month about a planned attack in Moscow and also issued a public advisory to Americans in Russia on 7 March, she said.
Nationwide day of mourning begins in Russia
A nationwide day of mourning as begun in Russia, which is three hours ahead of British time.
Vladimir Putin declared 24 March a day to remember the 133 people killed at Crocus City Hall.
Flags have been lowered, entertainment events cancelled, and advertising suspended on TV channels, according to state news outlet RIA Novosti.
It reported national mourning has been declared 29 times since 1993.
People lay flowers and light candles next to the Crocus City HallAP
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