Hundreds of Russian drones flying from all directions attacked Kyiv overnight into Thursday in an apparent new Russian tactic, marking a second consecutive night of ferocious attacks on Ukraine.

A massive overnight Russian attack has hit Ukraine's capital Kyiv, killing at least two people and injuring 16, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. The attack involved 18 missiles and about 400 drones, primarily targeting the capital, Zelensky added.

Ukrainian drone and shelling attacks killed three people in Russia on Friday, while Russian bombardments on east Ukraine forced the evacuation of a maternity centre in Kharkiv and wounded nine.