At least nine civilians were killed after Russia launched a huge wave of missile strikes across Ukraine on Thursday, Ukrainian media reported.

Regional officials said five people were killed in the western region of Lviv, one in Dnipropetrovsk in southeastern Ukraine and three in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson.

It was the first big volley of missile strikes since mid-February, targeting mainly energy facilities and hitting more than half a dozen regions like the capital Kyiv, Odesa, and the second-largest city Kharkiv.

Russia has not yet responded to the accusations.

(With input from agencies)