Rocket attack on Ukraine capital leaves 8 people dead, 24 injured - UPDATED

At least eight people died and 24 others were injured in today's rocket attack on Kyiv, Advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Rovtislav Smirnov said.

He noted that six cars ignited and more than 15 vehicles were damaged as a result of the attack.

10:08

Several large explosions were heard in central Kyiv on October 10 as residents reported the sound of incoming missiles, Report informs referring to the Financial Times.

At least three loud blasts were heard in the city and one of the suspected strikes occurred in downtown Kyiv.

Twitter and other social media users reported a large plume of smoke rising in the center of the Ukrainian capital.

It was not clear if anti-missile defenses in Kyiv were activated. Air raid sirens went off in Kyiv and all regions of Ukraine except occupied Crimea about one hour ago warning of possible strikes.

There are also social media reports of explosions in other cities overnight, including Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro, which have been hit routinely in past months by missile strikes.

The strikes in Kyiv are the first on the capital in several months.