Russia launches bombardment of missile strikes on Ukraine hitting maternity hospital

Russia launched new missile strikes on Ukraine on Wednesday, hitting at least one critical infrastructure target in Kyiv as explosions echoed through the outskirts of the capital.

An air raid alert was issued across all Ukraine and Ukrainian media carried reports of air defence systems in action in several parts of the country. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Ukrainian officials said a newborn baby had been killed in a Russian missile attack that hit a maternity hospital in the city of Vilniansk in southeastern Ukraine. 

Reuters correspondents in and around Kyiv said they heard several loud explosions and that air defence missiles were flying overhead.

Emergency power outages began in Kyiv, a local energy provider said.

"[Missiles] Hit one of the capital's infrastructure facilities. Stay in shelters! The air alert continues," Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

He gave no details of what infrastructure was hit. But Russian forces have increasingly targeted Ukrainian critical infrastructure in recent weeks as they faced setbacks on the battlefield following their February 24 invasion.

Russian attacks have knocked out power for long periods for up to 10 million consumers at a time.

Ukraine's national power grid operator said on Wednesday more blackouts would be necessary across the country.