Russia has launched a second missile attack in three days against Ukraine, hitting the logistics hub of Pavlohrad ahead of Ukraine's planned counter-offensive.

The attack resulted in a major fire, the destruction of dozens of houses, and 34 people being injured. Ukraine's army shot down 15 of the 18 missiles fired, but significant damage was still done, with 19 high-rise apartment blocks, 25 private houses, six schools and kindergartens, and five shops being damaged.

Following the attack, the air raid alert sounded in Kyiv, but all missiles and drones directed at the capital were destroyed. In the Kherson region, which is still partly controlled by Russia, authorities reported 39 shellings, resulting in one death.

The increase in attacks in Ukraine in recent days has been attributed to both Russia's preparation for a potential Ukrainian push and Ukraine's plans for a long-awaited offensive against Russian forces, with both sides fortifying their positions.

In the latest military leadership change, Russian deputy defence minister Cl Gen Mikhail Mizintsev was sacked, and a Ukrainian official reported that Russian forces had been ousted from some positions in Bakhmut.