The Ukrainian military says Kyiv has come under missile attack as a delegation of African leaders visits the country to promote dialogue with Russia.
The air force says it shot down more than a dozen projectiles.
It said six of them were hypersonic Kinzhal missiles.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the message was clear: "Russian missiles are a message to Africa: Russia wants more war, not peace."
The African delegation is led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and also includes the presidents of Senegal, Zambia and the Comoros.
They are expected to stress the importance of unrestricted exports of grain from Ukraine and fertiliser from Russia.
The delegation is due to hold talks with President Putin in Russia on Saturday.