Ukraine invasion: Russian shelling kills nine in Kharkiv, says regional governor

Nine people were killed in fresh Russian shelling on Ukraine's second city Kharkiv on Thursday, a regional official said, where many have returned after Russia's attempts to capture the eastern city were repelled.

"Russian shelling in Kharkiv today left nine civilians dead," regional governor Oleg Sinegubov said on social media.

A five-month-old child, as well as her father, were among the dead, while her mother was gravely wounded, he added.

"Nineteen civilians were injured," he said.

He described the toll, which followed strikes in three areas of the city near the border with Russia, as "the terrible consequences of Russian aggression".

An AFP reporter in the city said the northern residential district of Pavlove Pole was hit and saw plumes of smoke rising from the area.

The journalist saw several people wounded near a shuttered shopping centre, while an elderly man with injuries to his arm and leg was carried away by medics.

Kharkiv mayor Igor Terekhov urged people to find shelter following the attack.

"Enemy troops are shelling our city again," he said in a video on Telegram.

"I urge you to stay in safe places, in basements, shelters and at subway stations."

He said the northeastern city's metro, which resumed work this week after being used mainly as a shelter since the Russian invasion, would continue operating but also offer a safe space for residents.

"We will not stop the metro, but we will allocate special sectors where you can stay and shelter from bombing," Terekhov said.

"Now the most important thing is to save lives."

Kharkiv was heavily shelled by Moscow's forces at the start of their invasion, which began on February 24.

Ukrainian forces retook control of Kharkiv after battles that left the city very badly damaged.