Intensified hostilities result in casualties in Kyiv and a targeted fuel depot in Russia.
Russian forces attacked central Kyiv using drones and missiles early Saturday, resulting in at least four casualties.
Russian officials declared the assault a response to prior Ukrainian attacks utilizing US and British-made missiles.
Concurrently, Ukrainian forces launched their own strikes, causing a fire at a fuel depot in the Tula region, south of Moscow.
Details of the Russian assault emerged from the Ministry of Defense, stating that the missile attack killed four individuals in Kyiv.
The attack was characterized by the use of ballistic missiles, leading to significant damage, including the temporary closure of the Lukyanivska metro station and disruptions to a weapons factory nearby.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces deployed 39 drones, including the "Shahed" model, and four ballistic missiles, with Ukrainian defenses intercepting two missiles and 24 drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the casualties and injuries via social media.
In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense mentioned that Ukrainian forces had previously fired six projectiles into an unspecified area in the Belgorod region, near the Ukraine-Russia border.
The ministry vowed a retaliatory response to these actions.
Regarding the Tula region attack, local authorities reported a blaze at a fuel depot, attributed to Ukrainian drone strikes, although no injuries were recorded.
The incident occurred shortly after a similar attack in the Kaluga region that also triggered a fire at a fuel storage facility.
This escalation in hostilities aligns with continuing international military and diplomatic engagements.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was recently in Kyiv to finalize a century-long security partnership with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, in Germany, discussions over additional aid to Ukraine have sparked political debate, highlighting budgetary constraints amid calls for increased arms support.
Former German Chancellor
Angela Merkel emphasized the critical role of US and NATO support for Ukraine, underscoring the importance of transatlantic cooperation in maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty in light of Russian military actions.