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Russia has launched a barrage of missile strikes at Ukrainian cities on as it ramped up its attacks on infrastructure facilities across the country.

Explosions and air raid sirens were heard in Kyiv on Monday (Tuesday AEST) and 80 per cent of residents were left without water – with many losing electricity, too – following power outages caused by Russian strikes, the capital's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said on Telegram.

One of the strikes hit an energy facility that powered 350,000 apartments in the capital, Klitschko said, adding that emergency services were attempting to restore power and "stabilise the situation as soon as possible."

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Attacks on critical infrastructure in the central regions of Cherkasy and Kirovohrad, the eastern region of Kharkiv, and the southern region of Zaphorizhzhia were also reported.

The Ukrainian military said it had eliminated about 90 per cent of the Russian missiles used in the attacks.

"The enemy attacked military and civilian infrastructure facilities with 55 aircraft guided missiles, 45 of which were shot down by our defenders," the military's General Staff said.

By Monday afternoon, power was still partially out for many – though it had been restored to some.

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"Power engineers plan to stabilise the situation with the electricity supply at about 9-10 pm," Klitschko said on Telegram, adding: "But even after the resumption of electricity supply, power cuts will still be applied. Because the situation is difficult."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that diplomats "are in constant contact with their partners" to try to get assistance and equipment to repair the extensive damage.

Kyiv is in touch with the European Union and NATO as well as several governments.

It had already concluded agreements in 12 countries to obtain nearly 1000 units of power equipment, including generators, according to Kuleba.

"We continue to work on increasing the number of partners and the volume of support," he added.

The wave of strikes came after Russia accused Ukraine of attacking the city of Sevastopol in Crimea over the weekend. Russia illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula in 2014 and has controlled the territory since then.

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A giraffe from Perth Zoo has embarked on an epic road trip to Adelaide.

Three-year-old Inkosi is off to find love at Monarto Safari Park as part of a crucial breeding program.

The bull giraffe is on a journey across the Nullarbor to his new home after three years in Perth.

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At 800kg, Inkosi is a heavy but fragile load to send on a 2750-kilometre journey, which will take three days.

Multiple power lines will need to be lifted along the way, and drivers will take shifts, keeping the speed at 80km/h.

It's taken months of training for Inkosi — the Zulu word for king — to get used to a crate.

Two zookeepers and a vet will be on board.

Lauren Sumner from Perth Zoo said it was a crucial journey.

"Giraffes are undergoing what we call a silent extinction in Africa, so in the past 30 years there has been about a 40 per cent decline in wild giraffe numbers," she said.

"The regional species for the program is very important."

Environment Minister Reece Whitby is hoping for an exciting update soon.

"I'm sure when he gets there he'll settle down and relax and who knows, we'll get a phone call and there'll be little giraffes on the way."

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned this story contains images of a deceased person.

The family of Cassius Turvey have led a candlelight vigil in Perth in the push for change following the schoolboy's alleged murder.

Thousands of mourners gathered on Monday afternoon in the suburb of Midland, among them the 15-year-old's traumatised mates who were with him on the day he was attacked.

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Cassius' mother, Mechelle Turvey, said she didn't want other children to be scared.

"My son was an amazing young boy," Ms Turvey said.

"We have lots of amazing young people in our community, black, white and brown. I want to tell those children not to be fearful, you can still walk the streets."

Mourners were asked to share their memories of Cassius on a memory tree, and a traditional Aboriginal ceremony was held.

Some wore black t-shirts with the words "Kids Matter" on the back.

It comes ahead of a national day of action over Cassius' death.

Rallies demanding justice are planned across Australia, New Zealand and even in the US.

The teenager was walking home from school when he was allegedly beaten with a metal pole in Middle Swan by a 21-year-old man.

He died later in hospital.

Jack Brearley, 21, has been charged with murder, aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm and stealing.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch, who met with Cassius's mother earlier, was also at the event.

Last week Blanch defended comments he made on 6PR radio previously, about Cassius being in the "wrong place at the wrong time".

"Cassius was the innocent victim of a violent attack," he said.

When pressed on more details about whether the alleged attack was racially motivated, Blanch would not be drawn.

However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later condemned his alleged murder as "racially motivated".

Cassius' mother welcomed Albanese's comments, saying it was "the words the country has been waiting for".

In the Pantheon of wedding anniversary gifts, the 60th is diamond, the 70th platinum, and the 80th, surprising given its lack of gemstone, is oak.

That staunch trunk of hardwood represents the strength and longevity of the union, as it does for the 80th anniversary of John and Daphne Partridge.

They have partnered through the dance of life since 1942; high school sweethearts at 17, married two years later.

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"What did you like about this bloke when you saw him?" I ask Daphne.

"I just liked him, from head to toe," smiles Daphne.

John was just as convinced when he saw her.

"I said she won't get away from me, I'll catch her, and I've been with her ever since," says John.

They would only spend time apart when John was sent to New Guinea as a soldier during the Second World War.

"I just waited and waited every day for him to come home," says Daphne.

And when John did come home, the Partridges would have two children, who would have four grandchildren, who in turn would have seven great grandchildren, all spending some time at the Partridges' Maitland home, where they would live for 74 of their 80 years together.

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But given each is now 98 years of age, John and Daph need the occasional hand, hence their recent move to the Rutherford Park Care Community in the Hunter, NSW, after some minor alterations to the room they share.

"You had to push the beds together, I believe," I gently enquire of Daphne.

"Yeah," Daphne nods with a small grin, "we did."

Their daughter Vicki elaborates.

"I believe mum fell between one one day, so God knows what she was doing on the bed," says Vicki.

"I don't think you and I should be asking anymore about that topic, Vicki," I modestly pose.

And today, family and friends gathered for a sanga and a celebratory cuppa, as well as the chance to find the secret ingredient to a long relationship recipe.

"We never had a strong word," says Daphne.

John adds, "look after one another, think about one another, and live for one another. It's wonderful."