Russian "spy balloons" have been shot down over Kyiv, Ukrainian officials have said.

Six balloons, which could have been carrying reconnaissance equipment, were spotted over the capital, its military administration said on Telegram.

It did not specify when they flew over Kyiv, although air alerts were issued in the city on Wednesday.

Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat confirmed that air raid sirens had sounded in the capital today due to balloons flying overhead.

So-called spy balloons have made headlines in recent days after the US accused China of running a "high-altitude balloon programme" for intelligence gathering.

An American fighter jet shot down what it described as a Chinese spy balloon over the Carolina coast on 4 February.

China said the balloon was an unmanned weather airship that was accidentally blown off course.

It said the US overreacted by using an F-22 jet to bring down the object.

(Sky News)