Smoke billows from buildings after the Russian strike on Kyiv on Monday. Reuters

Russian-launched "kamikaze drones" attacked Kyiv early on Monday, the Ukrainian presidency said, describing the strikes as an act of desperation nearly eight months into a war that has claimed thousands of lives.

Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv shortly before the first explosion at around 6:35am (0335), followed by sirens across most of the country.

READ MORE

Gunmen kill 11 at Russian military base in latest blow to war in Ukraine

Twelve shot dead in Mexico bar attack in gang-plagued state

"The capital was attacked by kamikaze drones," the president's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on social media.

Russia has shown no let-up in launching a barrage of missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital. Reuters

"The Russians think it will help them, but it shows their desperation," he added.

"We need more air defence systems and as soon as possible. More weapons to defend the sky and destroy the enemy."

Meanwhile, Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that two more blasts hit the city's central Shevchenkivskyi district, following earlier Monday morning explosions.

The attacks come exactly a week after Russia unleashed a massive wave of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital and cities across the country.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the drone attack had caused a fire and damaged several buildings in the central Shevchenkivsky district and warned residents to take shelter.

Police guard an area of the city amid the drone attack. Reuters

"Fire departments are working. Several residential buildings were damaged. Medics are on the spot," he said on Telegram.

"We are clarifying the information about the casualties."

The mayor also posted a picture of what he said was the charred wreckage of one of the kamikaze drones, loitering munitions that can hover while waiting for a target to attack.