Kyiv endures a third bombardment in 5 days as Russia steps up targeting of Ukrainian cities

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Without adequate ammunition stockpiles, the Ukrainian unit can only fire at precise targets while facing a torrent of Russian artillery strikes (Mon. 25 March, AP video shot by Srdjan Nedeljkovic).

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Ukrainian military experts gather remains of a missile next to a destroyed building in the Pecherskyi district, after a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Five people were injured in the strike, two were hospitalized. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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Residents of the Pechersk district stand near an area damaged by a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Five people were injured in the strike, two were hospitalised.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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A Ukrainian serviceman inspects the damage to a building at the Pecherskyi district, after a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Five people were injured in the strike, two were hospitalized. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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First response officers inspect the damage after a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Five people were injured in the strike at Pechersk district of Kyiv, two were hospitalised.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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A first responder officer inspects the damage in a building at the Pechersk district, after a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Five people were injured in the strike, two were hospitalised.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko inspects the are of a Russian attack at the Pechersk district react in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Five people were injured in the strike, two were hospitalised.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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Ukrainian soldiers prepares to fire 152-mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 2S3, towards Russian positions at the frontline, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

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A Ukrainian officer observes the firing of a 152-mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 2S3, towards Russian positions at the frontline, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

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Ukrainian soldiers carry shells to fire towards Russian positions at the frontline, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

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A woman hugs a dog near a bombed building in the Pecherskyi district, after a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Several people were injured in the strike. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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A Ukrainian soldier looking for a visual confirmation of drone-free sky, as he prepares to fire 152-mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 2S3, towards Russian positions at the frontline, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

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A Ukrainian soldier looking for a visual confirmation of drone-free sky at his position at the frontline, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

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A Ukrainian soldier looks on as he prepares to fire 152-mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 2S3, towards Russian positions at the frontline, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

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Ukrainian first responders walk in the rubble of a building in the Pecherskyi district, after a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Several people were injured in the strike. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko takes video of himself at the site of a Russian attack at the Pechersk district react in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Five people were injured in the strike, two were hospitalised.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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A Ukrainian first responder walks in the rubble of a building in the Pecherskyi district, after a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Five people were injured in the strike, two were hospitalized. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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A woman comforts her cats near a bombed building in the Pecherskyi district, after a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday March 25, 2024. Five people were injured in the strike, two were hospitalized. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

By ILLIA NOVIKOV

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched missiles against Kyiv for the third time in five days and also targeted other regions Monday as Moscow escalated its aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities while the front line in the war remains largely stationary.

Nine people were injured in the morning strike on the Ukrainian capital, the Ukraine Rescue Service said. The Pecherskyi district was the hardest hit. Missile debris damaged homes in two districts and a local college gym in another district, Ukraine’s National Police said.

Russia fired two ballistic missiles at Kyiv from occupied Crimea in the daylight attack, but both were intercepted above the city, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration.

Later in the day, Ukrainian news outlets reported at least two explosions in the southern city of Odesa as Russian missile strikes also targeted several other regions. There was no immediate word on injuries or damage there.

On Thursday, Russia attacked Kyiv for the first time in six weeks, firing more than two dozen missiles before dawn. On Friday, Russia unleashed a massive attack against Ukraine’s energy sector, calling the assault retaliation for recent strikes on Russian soil.

Not PARSE.LY: Kyiv

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Days of intense Ukrainian shelling of the Russian border region of Belgorod led Russia to announce plans to evacuate about 9,000 children.

The bombardment of Kyiv also came three days after a concert hall attack in Russia killed more than 130 people. Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to tie the attack to Ukraine, even though an affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility.

Putin could use the Moscow attack to shore up support for the war and as a pretext to escalate attacks on Ukraine, analysts said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his appeal for Western partners to provide more air defense systems to protect against the unrelenting attacks.

“We never tire of repeating that Ukraine needs more air defense,” he said. “This is security for our cities and saves human lives.”

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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine