Russia says Ukraine strikes 'retaliation' for border incursion

Russia confirmed Thursday a fresh wave of strikes against Ukraine, claiming the attacks, including with its "Kinzhal" hypersonic missile, had come in response to a border incursion earlier this month.

"In response to the March 2 terrorist actions organised by the Kyiv regime in the Bryansk region, Russia's Armed Forces dealt a massive retaliatory strike," the defence ministry said in a statement.

Moscow had claimed "Ukrainian nationalists" crossed into the southern Bryansk region and killed two civilians, while Kyiv dismissed the allegation as a "deliberate provocation".

"High-precision long-range air, sea and land-based weapons, including the Kinzhal hypersonic missile system, hit key elements of Ukraine's military infrastructure, enterprises of the military-industrial complex as well as energy facilities that support them," the ministry said.

"All assigned targets were hit," it added.

Kyiv said Russia had targeted several regions across Ukraine with a deadly missile barrage, in the largest attack on the country in weeks.