Ukraine says it downed Russian cruise missiles aimed at Kyiv

The missiles are said to have been launched by Tu-95MS bombers (file image)

Ukrainian officials say air defences downed 15 Russian cruise missiles which were launched overnight against the capital, Kyiv.

Ukraine's military said it destroyed 23 of 25 cruise missiles launched across the country.

No casualties were reported from the attack, according to Serhiy Popko, a senior Kyiv military official.

The new missile attacks came hours before Russia was due to celebrate Victory Day.

The 9 May holiday commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during World War Two.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has compared the Ukraine war - which he falsely defines as a battle against a "neo-Nazi regime" - to Adolf Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union.

Mr Popko said he believed the missiles had been launched from four bombers flying from the Caspian sea region.

Ukraine's air force wrote on Telegram that "overnight into the 'sacred' May 9, (Russia) launched an attack on the territory of Ukraine,"

Mr Popko said Russian forces were trying "to kill as many civilians as possible on this day".

The latest attacks come after Ukraine said Russia launched its biggest drone attack of the war yet on Sunday night.

That wave of drone and missile strikes killed at least one person and injured five.

As Russia prepares for the main event of Victory Day - a military parade - the mood is one of nervousness in Moscow.

A series of explosions, drone attacks and sabotage rocked Russia over the past week including an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin.

Moscow blamed Ukrainian drones but Kyiv denied any involvement.

Meanwhile, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday morning to mark the Europe Day celebration of peace and unity.

"I very much welcome President Zelensky's decision to make May 9 the Day of Europe. Ukraine is part of our European family," she told reporters on her train to Kyiv.