KYIV, 26 Feb (REUTERS) -- Russian forces captured the southeastern Ukrainian city of Melitopol on Saturday (Feb 26), Russia's Interfax news agency reported, as Moscow launched coordinated cruise missile and artillery strikes on several cities, including the capital Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials were not immediately available for comment on the fate of Melitopol, a city of about 150,000 people. If confirmed, it would be the first significant population centre the Russians have seized since their invasion began on Thursday.

Fighting has reached the streets of Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities said earlier on Saturday.

Ukraine's military said Russia had "attacked one of the military units on Victory Avenue in Kyiv" but that the assault was "repulsed".

Kyiv authorities said a missile hit a residential building and a Reuters witness said another hit an area near the airport. There was no immediate word on casualties.

Gunfire also erupted near city-centre government buildings, a Reuters witness said. The cause was not clear.

Ukraine's health minister said on Saturday that 198 civilians, including three children, have been killed so far by Russian forces attacking the pro-Western country.