RUSSIAN troop shelling continues as missiles struck the western Ukrainian city of Lviv early Monday, leaving six dead and eight wounded – including a child.

Plumes of thick, black smoke were witnessed rising over Lviv after the explosions, with one Ukrainian adviser describing the attack as "barbaric".

After the humiliating sinking of the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet last week in what the Ukrainians boasted was a missile attack, the Kremlin had vowed to step up airstrikes.

Lviv has not seen a large amount of fighting during Russia's invasion, although there have been a handful of airstrikes.

The city has been used as a hub by refugees fleeing to Poland – about 70km away from its border.

Various Ukrainian authorities and sources confirmed the missile strikes on social media.

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The mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, tweeted: "5 aimed missile strikes on Lviv. Relevant services have already left for the place. We find out more detailed information."

While the regional governor, Maksym Koyzystkiy said: "Objects suffered significant damage. Unfortunately, there are dead and injured. As of this hour, 6 dead and 8 injured are known. One child was among the victims."

One report contested the number of people injured in the attack – saying 11 were wounded.

Russia's intense shelling across the country over the last few days marks the start of a new operation to achieve its goals after Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed a new General, Aleksandr Dvornikov.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's adviser said: "Five powerful missile strikes on the civilian infrastructure of ancient European Lviv.

"The Russians continue to barbarically attack Ukrainian cities from the air, cynically declaring to the whole world their 'right' … to kill Ukrainians."

In a concerning assertion, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in last night's address Russia wants to "finish off" Ukraine's eastern Donbas region and wipe some places "off the face of the Earth".

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The Donbas – made up of Luhansk and Donetsk – has seen heavy fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists since 2014. 

Zelenskyy added Ukraine is prepared to end the war through diplomacy if possible but said his country does not intend to surrender.

He also tweeted to mark Easter on Sunday, saying: "The Lord's Resurrection is a testimony to the victory of life over death, good over evil."

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