Seven killed as Lviv hit by missile strikes

MULTIPLE explosions apparently caused by missiles have struck the western Ukrainian city of Lviv as the country braced for an all-out Russian assault in the east.

At least seven people were killed as plumes of black smoke rose over the city after the blasts.

Lviv and the rest of western Ukraine have been less affected by two months of fighting than other parts of the country and have been considered a relative haven.

Lviv's regional governor Maksym Kozytsky said six people were killed and another eight, including a child, were wounded by four Russian missile strikes.

He said three-hit military infrastructure facilities and one struck a tyre shop, and that emergency teams were putting out fires.

Later, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi put the toll at seven dead and 11 wounded, including one child.