Russian airstrikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv: Two dead, dozens injured

These strikes, targeting residential areas and civilian infrastructure, came hours after President Vladimir Putin vowed that an airstrike on Belgorod — which Moscow claims Ukraine executed, resulting in 24 civilian deaths — "will not go unpunished."

Russia has intensified air assaults on Ukraine over the New Year, culminating in its largest attack of the nearly two-year-old conflict last Friday, killing at least 39 people.

Tuesday's attacks in Ukraine occurred during morning rush hour and involved a variety of missiles. The military issued air alerts lasting several hours.

Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv's mayor, reported that an elderly woman died in an ambulance after sustaining injuries in the capital. He had earlier stated that the attacks wounded at least 16 people in Kyiv. Additionally, the attacks damaged gas pipelines in Kyiv's Pecherskyi district and caused power and water outages in several areas. Rescue teams worked to extinguish multiple fires throughout the city.

These strikes brought back memories of last winter when Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy grid led to frequent power cuts, plunging millions into darkness.

In Kharkiv, regional governor Oleh Synehubov reported an attack around 07:30 (0530 GMT) in the city center, killing one person and wounding 41, as stated on Telegram.

Yuri Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, described the situation as tense and indicated that air defenses were on high alert for more Russian missile launches.