Ukraine: Russia Issues Warning To Kyiv Residents Over Targeted Strikes

Russia has warned it will target areas in Kyiv, according to a new report.

The 'barbaric' use of missile strikes has been widely condemned over the past week, with a recent attack on the Kharkiv region state administration building on Freedom Square killing at least 10 people and injuring 35 others.

'We urge Ukrainian citizens who are being used by nationalists to carry out provocations against Russia, as well as Kyiv residents residing near relay stations to leave their home,' the statement said, adding that the strikes have been ordered to 'prevent information attacks against Russia'.

'Russian Defence Ministry reassured that Russian troops are not targeting Ukrainian cities, but are limited to surgically striking and incapacitating Ukrainian military infrastructure. There are no threats whatsoever to the civilian population,' the statement also notes, despite hundreds of civilian casualties as a result of the conflict.

Earlier commenting on the dangers for Ukrainian civilians, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said, 'The picture is grim — and could get worse still.'

'Aerial attacks and fighting in urban areas are damaging critical civilian facilities and disrupting essential services such as health, electricity, water and sanitation, which effectively leaves civilians without the basics for day-to-day life,' he added.

Shelling across the country has seen thousands of people hunkering down in Ukraine's subway stations. A further 150,000 people have fled Ukraine for neighbouring countries over the past day, bringing the total to 660,000 refugees.