Russia launched an intense drone and missile attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight, killing a mother and her son in the capital, amid faltering U.S.-backed attempts to broker a pause in the fighting.

Two people were killed and eight injured after Russia targeted Kyiv with drones and missiles overnight, hours before a unilateral three-day cease-fire announced by Moscow was due to come into effect Wednesday night.

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's air defence units were engaged in trying to repel an overnight Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine's military and officials said early on Sunday. "Stay in shelters!" Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on the Telegram messaging app. Reuters' witnesses heard several explosions in what sounded like air defence systems in operation.