Air raid sirens go off ‘across Ukraine’ as huge blasts sweep through several cities – World News

Powerful explosions were heard in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine, air raid sirens sounded and people rushed to shelters. It comes after the Russian flagship sank in the Black Sea

Air raid sirens went off across Ukraine, and loud explosions were heard in Kyiv and a number of other cities, local media reported.

Explosions were also heard Thursday evening in the southern city of Kherson, the eastern city of Kharkiv and in the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk.

There is no official confirmation of the explosions.

It comes after Russia said its lead warship sunk in the Black Sea on Thursday after an explosion and fire that Ukraine claimed was caused by a missile attack.

It is a blow to Moscow as it prepares for fresh attacks that would likely decide the outcome of the conflict.

The Moskva, Russia’s flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, sank while being towed into port in stormy weather, Russian news agencies quoted the Defense Ministry as saying.

Russia earlier said over 500 crew members aboard the Soviet-era missile cruiser were evacuated after ammunition on board exploded. Ukraine said it hit the warship with a Neptun anti-ship missile made in Ukraine.

Russia, which has not acknowledged an attack, said the incident is being investigated.

“While the cruiser ‘Moskva’ was being towed to the port of destination, the ship lost stability due to fire damage to the hull,” the Defense Ministry said.

“The ship sank in stormy seas.”

Russia’s navy bombs Ukrainian Black Sea towns nearly 50 days after the invasion began.

The residents of Odessa and Mariupol on the adjacent Sea of ​​Azov braced themselves for new Russian attacks.

Russian forces have withdrawn from some northern parts of Ukraine in recent weeks after suffering heavy casualties and failing to take the capital, Kyiv.

Ukraine and its western allies say Moscow is repositioning itself for a new offensive in the eastern Donbass region.