The Ukrainian capital Kyiv has been targeted by further Russian air attacks, described by one official as "exceptional in density".

Ukraine said all 18 missiles were shot down and footage showed air defences destroying targets over the city.

But Russia said its attack - which used drones and missiles - had hit all its targets.

Moscow has stepped up its air campaign in recent weeks, ahead of an expected Ukrainian offensive.

The air raid alert sounded at around 02:30 local time (23:30 GMT Monday) and was lifted two hours later in the eighth attack to hit the capital this month.

An unusually high number of loud explosions was heard in the city centre, as authorities told residents in online messages that air defence had been activated.

The head of Ukraine's armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhny, said Russia attacked Kyiv from the north, south and east and that 18 air, sea and land-based missiles had been used.

Serhiy Popko, head of the Ukrainian capital's military administration, described the barrage as being the "maximum number of attack missiles in the shortest period of time".

"According to preliminary information, the vast majority of enemy targets in the airspace of Kyiv were detected and destroyed," he added.

Gen Zaluzhny said that included nine Kalibr cruise missiles, which were launched from ships in the Black Sea, and three land-based missiles.

He added that Kyiv also destroyed six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which travel on a ballistic trajectory and are capable of reaching speeds of more than 11,000kmh (7,000mph).

Russia has claimed in the past that these could not be taken out by any of the world's air defence systems.

Ukraine said it had shot down a Kinzhal for the first time last week during an earlier attack on Kyiv.

If these claims are true, Moscow will be feeling frustrated that the finest weapons from its missile fleet is now able to be intercepted. This is in large part due to the arrival of modern Western defence systems, including Patriots.

Russia claimed that it destroyed a Patriot system during Tuesday's attack on Kyiv. Ukraine declined to comment. The BBC cannot independently verify the claims made by either country.

Destroyed by what? make Una dey play o

Even if dem use Satan 2 nuclear missiles... Ukraine will never fall.

Adjovi:
Destroyed by what? make Una dey play o

lol leave am

Ukraine and lies are like ground groundnut and garri. The moment you see Ukraine you see lies

watching that Video, which I don't know if it's FAKE or original, one thing is clear, Russia used cheap missiles - that's obvious from it's speed and trajectory accuracy.

Now their intension was very very clear - wear down the patriot defence system (which they did using cheaper means), then destroy it.

At end of the day, it's more like using a grenade of 5 naira to destroy a building worth millions.

Na the Video I interprete Oooo. Wether the news na FAKE or not, that one I no sabi

Is like you people are being paid to spread disinformation.

Imagine posting something like this without any sense of being logical.

Masterviolence:
Is like you people are being paid to spread disinformation.

Imagine posting something like this with any sense of being logical.

leave them let them keep fooling themselves.

mysticwarrior:
leave them let them keep fooling themselves.

Although the propaganda is from both sides, but the west and Ukraine are in a league of their own.

Ukraine and lies!!! Ukraine’s air defenses that could not protect itself?

Three of their top scientists have been arrested for the embarasnent to Putin.