Ukraine invasion: Moment BBC reporter takes cover as missile flies overhead, hits Kyiv

Footage has captured the terrifying moment a reporter in Ukraine was forced to take cover on live TV when missiles flew over his head and struck buildings in Kyiv.

The video provides a glimpse into the fear Ukrainians have suffered for months.

BBC's correspondent in Kyiv, Hugo Bachega, was giving an update on the possibility of Russian retaliation over the bombing of the Crimean Bridge when several explosions happened in the centre of Ukraine's capital city. 

"So the fear is that this could trigger a very strong Russia response," he said. "We saw yesterday that a residential area of the city of Zaporizhzhia, a major city in the south of the country, very close to the frontlines, was hit by the dozen ..."

Bachega was interrupted by the sound of a missile flying above him followed by a loud bang.

Bachega ducked to cover as the sound of an explosion rang out, the BBC footage quickly cutting back to the studio.

"We're all safe. Broadcasting from the car park. Thanks for all the messages," Bachega later wrote on Twitter.

The reporter returned an hour later to air from a bomb shelter underneath a hotel, explaining a missile had hit near the hotel.

"All morning we've been talking about the possibility, the fear here in Ukraine, of a strong Russian response to that explosion on Saturday that hit the Crimea bridge," he told BBC viewers. "It seems that we're seeing it this morning with the capital being attacked and several cities across the country being hit as well."

Russia launched its most widespread air strikes since the start of the Ukraine war on Monday (local time) after the Crimea Bridge was partially destroyed in an attack assumed to be carried out by Ukraine.  

The bridge has huge symbolic value to Russia, as it physically links Russia to Crimea, which was seized from Ukraine in 2014. 

In retaliation, Russia launched more than 80 missiles which hit civilian structures and infrastructure across major Ukrainian cities during rush hour.

Newshub Europe Correspondent Lisette Reymer told AM many Ukrainians have been forced to shelter underground and are once again fearing for their lives. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attacks, which have killed at least 10 people, were deliberately timed to kill people, as well as to knock out Ukraine's power grid.

"They are trying to destroy us and wipe us off the face of the earth," Zelensky said.