scrambled fighter jets early on Sunday as deployed his nuclear-capable Tu-95MS bombers to unleash a fresh barrage of missile attacks on Ukraine - including direct strikes on Kyiv.

Explosions rocked the capital from around 5am local time as cruise missiles, drones and ballistic weapons rained down in one of the most sustained attacks of the war so far. At least three people were injured in Kyiv, where fires erupted across multiple districts and residents took shelter in metro stations. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed casualties in the Darnytskyi district, where a furniture store was destroyed and flames spread to nearby warehouses. In Obolonskyi, an office building was partially levelled and several cars were set ablaze. Falling debris damaged non-residential buildings elsewhere in the city. As Ukraine's air defences engaged waves of incoming projectiles, paramedics and firefighters were deployed to multiple sites.

The onslaught came just hours after Russian forces killed 18 civilians - including nine children - in Kryvyi Rih, President 's hometown. Moscow claimed it had targeted a gathering of Ukrainian and foreign military personnel, but local officials branded the strike a deliberate civilian massacre.

A collage of the dead children - including toddlers and teenagers - was widely circulated on Ukrainian Telegram channels. One read: "They should be seen by everyone who naively believes that terrorist Putin 'wants peace' in Ukraine. And those who cynically lie about Russia not attacking civilians."

Sunday's air assault involved at least four Tu-95MS strategic bombers firing Kh-101 cruise missiles from above the Caspian Sea, according to Ukrainian officials. Additional Kalibr missiles were launched from the Black Sea, while Iskander-M ballistic missiles and Shahed kamikaze drones were also used.

NATO responded by scrambling jets to patrol airspace near Ukraine's border. Poland confirmed that both its own fighters and those of other allied nations had been deployed, citing "intensive activity" by Russia's long-range aviation.

"The RSZ Operational Commander activated all available forces and resources at his disposal," Poland's armed forces said in a statement. "Fighter pairs have been scrambled, and ground-based air defence and reconnaissance systems are at the highest readiness."

"These steps are aimed at ensuring security in the areas bordering the threatened zones."

The Times reported that Russian strikes also hit Uman in Cherkasy region, and Kupyansk in Kharkiv region, where aerial bombs injured a 78-year-old woman and a 67-year-old man after setting an apartment block ablaze.

In Kyiv, Klitschko confirmed ongoing firefighting operations and warned residents to remain in shelters. Authorities said falling wreckage from intercepted missiles had caused widespread damage across at least three city districts.

Ukrainian officials say the scale and intensity of the latest wave show Putin's lack of interest in recent peace overtures, including those floated by Donald Trump.

A NATO official said: "There is no sign on the battlefield that the Russians are preparing for a ceasefire. We see no sign that Russia's objectives in this war have changed."

Mr Zelensky hit out at Washington for failing to condemn Russia over the Kryvyi Rih massacre directly. He said: ""Staying silent about the fact that it is Russia killing children with ballistic missiles is wrong and dangerous.

"It only emboldens the scum in Moscow to continue the war and keep ignoring diplomacy. Weakness has never ended a war."

Putin himself has not been seen in public since the latest attacks began, prompting speculation over his whereabouts. State media aired a pre-recorded meeting with Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova on Friday.