Kyiv endures a third air attack in five days as Russia steps up bombardment

The attack was the third to hit the Ukrainian capital in the space of five days (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv on Monday morning as a Russian attack hit the Ukrainian capital for the third time in five days.

The attack came amid an apparent escalation of aerial bombardment of cities by the Kremlin’s forces as the war stretches into its third year with the front line largely stationary.

City authorities said a residential building was damaged in one district of the city. Debris from interceptions fell on various districts of the city during the daylight attack.

First response officers inspect the damage after a Russian air attack in Kyiv (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two women were injured.

Emergency services were on their way to the sites, officials said. Further details were not immediately available.

The attack came three days after a concert hall attack in Russia that killed more than 130 people.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to tie the attack to Ukraine, even though an affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility.

Mr Putin could use the Moscow attack to shore up support for the war and as a pretext to escalate attacks on Ukraine, analysts said.