A missile has reportedly hit a residential building in the center of Chernihiv, causing a fire to break out, Ukraine’s state service of special communications is reporting, writes The Guardian.

Chernihiv is about 150km north-east of Kyiv.

“A rocket hit a residential building in the centre of Chernihiv. A fire broke out, two lower floors are on fire. The number of injured is currently unknown”, - the agency said in a brief statement on the Telegram messaging app.

The development follows reports from the Kyiv Independent newspaper of an air raid alert that sounded in the city about 4.30am local time with residents being urged to head to the nearest shelter.