Russia launched an attack on Kyiv with eight long-range ballistic missiles before dawn on Monday, injuring four people with debris after air defences fired down the oncoming salvo, according to officials.

The incident, which occurred about 4 a.m. (0200 GMT), was the first serious attack on Kyiv in recent months to use ballistic missiles, which fly quicker than drones and cruise missiles and are more difficult to shoot down.

Reuters correspondents in the capital heard explosions as air defences engaged the missiles before the air raid alarm sounded and most people were asleep.

Four persons were injured by pieces of shattered glass in the Darnitskyi area of southeastern Kyiv, according to a statement from the national police.

Firefighters dispatched to the southwestern Holosiivskyi district put out a fire that broke out when part of a missile landed on the roof of a residential building, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram messenger.

Air strikes have become almost nightly occurrences in recent weeks, although most Russian attacks have used slow-moving Iranian-made Shahed drones, which Ukrainians nickname “mopeds” because of the whirring sound of their engines.

Ukrainian civilians fear that Russia plans to target the energy system with air strikes for a second year in a row as winter takes hold and energy consumption surges because of the cold weather.

In a separate overnight attack, Ukrainian air defences shot down 18 Shahed drones in the south.

Russia made no immediate comment on the attacks.

(With inputs from agencies)